THE 



CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA. 



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NARRATIYE 



OF THE 



CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA, 



DURING THE YEAR 



1812. 



BY 

SIR ROBERT KER PORTER, 



BALTIMORE: 

PUBLISHED BY EDWARD J. COALE, 
WILLIAM FRY, PRINTER. 

1814. 



COKTENT*. 



F'RENCH Preparations against the Russian Empire - li 

Russian Preparations to oppose the French =• - -IS 

Napoleon on the Vistula = - = » - -IS 

Emperor Alexander at Wilna = ° =■ = - If 

Napoleon begins the War by crossing the Neimen - " ^„ 

Situation of the French Army - - - ■» - 2 1 

Situation of the Russian Army - = = - - 23 

Prince Bragation's Movements - •= = - - 2S 

Russian Head-quarters at Drissa - - = •= - 34 

Address to the City of Moscow - - - =. » 3S 

Address to the Nation =. = ... --4Ci 

Alexander*s Visit to Moscow - ■= = = - 44 

Address of the Holy Synod .« = - = = 4€ 

Arming of the Russian People • = = - - 52 

Barclay de Tolly at Vitepsk - - - - - -54 

Vigtenstein's Movements against Oudinot - = - 64 

Bragation crosses the Berezina - = = - - 68 
PlatofTs Movements --.»».» 73 

Peace with Turkey „-.-_ = . 75 

Admiral TchitchagofT takes the Command of the Army of 

the Danube =..-» = -7g 

Surrender of Kobrine to the Russians - - - - 78 

Affair of Podubrie - - - - - - - -81 

Essen at Riga -.-.=, = „» 37 

Peace with England ». = «_. =95 

Russian hatred of the French - - - = - -9S 

Battle of Gamzeleva - - •= - - - -100 

Battle of Polotzk - - - - - = - «105 

Battle of Smolenzk - -• . . ^ . - lOS 



vi CONTENTS. 

Page 
Napoleon enters Smolenzk - - - - - - 116 

The French pass the Dneiper _ _ . - - 122 

Junction of the First and Second Russian Armies - - 131 

^Prince Koutousoff Commander-in-Chief ... 135 

{.Battle of Borodino 139 

Koutousoff made Field-Marshal - ... - 155 
Koutousoff passes through Moscow and takes a position on 

the Kalouga road - - - - - - 158 

Moscow entered by the French - - - - - 163 

Moscow in their Possession - - ^ » - - 167 
Buonaparte at the Barrier - - - - ■> - 173 

Buonaparte's Entrance - - - - - --174 

Outrages on the Inhabitants - - - - - - 177 

Russian Position on the Kalouga Road - - - - 185 

Vinzingorode's Movements from Twer - - - - 190 

Moscow surrounded by Russian troops - - - - 191 

Buonaparte offers Peace - - - - - -194 

Distress of the French Troops .... - 195 

Final Rejection of Buonaparte's proffered Terms of Peace 200 
Request and Refusal of an Armistice . _ - . 202 

Buonaparte retires to the palace of Petrofsky - - - 204 
Orders issued for the Destruction of Moscow - - - 207 
Buonaparte's Attempt to burn the Kremlin - - - 214 
Vinzingorode victorious before Moscow ... 223 

Vinzingorode and Narishkin seized by the French - - 226 
Iloviasky saves the Kremlin .-.»-- 228 
Moscow recovered to Russia „ •• - = « . 229 

Essen's Advance to Mittau - - - - - - 237 

Movement on Polotzk .-.--- 242 

General Steingel defeats Macdonald's Corps - - - 246 
General St. Cyr wounded ...... 247 

Capture of Polotzk ...--.- 250 

French defeated by Bragation and Buckovden, near Tour- 

govitch -..----- 255 

Pinsk abandoned by the Austrians . - - - . 260 
Koutousoff's Account of the relative State of the Hostile 

Armies .-.-»-.- 266 

French defeated by Dorochoff between Semlevoand Wiazma 269 
Battle of Wiazma - - - = - - - - 275 
Murat defeated - . - ™ ~ ^ „ « 27f 



CONTENTS. vil 

Page 

Buonaparte's dreadful situation after the Battle of Wiazma 280 
Buonaparte quits Moscow — his Head-quarters at Borosk - 282 
The Advanced-guard of Sebastiani entirely defeated by 

Prince KoudaschefF - - - - - -283 

Horrible State of the French Army - ,- - -284 

Buonaparte forsakes the Army and flies to France - - 286 
French defeated by Platoff near the Monastery of Kolotsk 288 
Platoft's Description of the French Retreat - - -291 
Davoust, Ney, and Beauharnois, defeated by Miloradovitch 293 
Sufferings ot the French ------ 295 

The Russian Winter sets in- - - - - -296 

Description of the Misery of the French Army - - 297 

Platoff pursues Beauharnois - - - - - -301 

Double Defeat of Beauharnois ----- 303 

Letters of the Vice-Roy of Italy to the Prince of Neuf- 

chatel 304, 305 

Miloradovitch defeats the French and occupies Dorogobouche 3 10 
Augereau, with his whole Division, capitulates to Count 

Orloff-Denizoff 312 

Buonaparte establishes his Head-quarters at Smolenzk - 314 
Inhuman Execution of the Patriot Engelhart - - - 315 
Letter of Berthier to Davoust - - - - - 318 

Devastation of Smolenzk - - - - - - 319 

Davoust defeated near Krasnoy - - - - - 321 

Buonaparte's shameful Flight from the Field of Krasnoy - 323 

Defeat of Ney 326 

The Remainder of the French army capitulates - - 327 

Steingel and Sassonoff having formed a junction, defeat the 

Enemy at Ouschatch - - ■= - - -331 
Vitepsk taken by the Russians .=,--- 335 

Victor defeated by Vigtenstein — Colonel Tchernicheff joins 

Count Vigtenstein ------ 339 

Victor and Oudinot prepare to evacuate the Russian Ter- 
ritory - - - -341 

Minsk taken by the Russians ------ 342 

Buonaparte reaches Orcha - - - - - -345 

Orcha evacuated by the French ----- 347 

Ney defeated by Platoff 349 

The Main Army of the Russians reaches Zezeringa - 350 

Victor and his Army capitulate - - - - -354 



viii . CX)NTENTS, 

Battle of Lembisco = - =. - - = -355 

Hoi-ribte State of the French after the BattI© ^ ^ ~ 35 § 
Buonaparte crosses the Berezina - . - = . 359 
Oudinot killed— -Buonaparte retreats to Pletchinlchaii - 36B 
Buonaparfe deserts his Army =.»„=,=, S6B 

Muse de Guerre of Maret = = »=.=.= 364 

Buonaparte appotnts Murat Lieutenant-General and com- 
mander-in-chief of the army-— 'his final Departure 
from his Army -.,», = - 370 
Wilna occupied by the Russians » » = _ . 372 
Proclamation of the Emperor of Russia .= » o =381 

■NoTESi * '*■ » = *■ £> =^.=- « 38;S 



CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA. 



1 HE late War between the Russian Empire and 
that of France, which closed in the Peace of Tilsit, is 
too much alive in the recollection of Europe to need 
a narration here of the particular events which led to 
its commencement, and accelerated its conclusion. 
The necessity which compelled the Emperor Alex- 
ander to make that Treaty, there is little doubt origi- 
nated in the nonfulfilment of promises, made by powers 
in alliance with him, to give their support to a warfare 
which involved not more the safety of Russia than 
that of all the civilized world. Though an ally only, 
(on the destruction of the Prussian force, and the de- 
cided apathetical tardiness of Austria,) he found him- 
self, left to bear the whole weight of the contest as a 
principal. Though thus abandoned, and placed in a 
situation, to maintain which, it being unexpected, he 
had not provided resources, he nevertheless receded 
not a step; but in the field and in the cabinet continued 
to assert, to the extremest point of his empire's ex- 
istence, the liberty of Europe. It is well known, from 
what passed between the Courts of London and St, 



10 

Petersburgh, how anxious he was (in spite of disap- 
pointments) to retain the friendship of England, and 
her active co-operation in the Great Cause. At length 
the Russian Monarch's patience was exhausted; and 
and on the 7th of July, 1807, the Peace of Tilsit was 
signed. 

From the date of this event six years elapsed; and 
during the whole period the face of Europe never 
ceased being deluged with blood. Austria, who had 
neglected the past favourable moment to defend her 
rights, was at last aroused; and became involved, and 
alone too, in a desperate and unsuccessful contest with 
Napoleon. Spain burst forth against the tyrant, with 
the spirit of her ancestors. And England, (however 
those at times in power may have committed political 
errors) continued, in principle, true to the grand cause 
by feeding the flame in the Peninsula; and thus kept 
up that fire with which the far- spreading torch of the 
North now lights the rest of Europe to Emancipation 
and Peace. 

The negative kind of amity, a body without a soul, 
which the Treaty of Tilsit established between the 
Empires of Russia and France, (and which endured 
little more than four years) gave time and occasion to 
Alexander to be fully aware of the ultimate views of 
his Gallic friend; who lost not an opportunity of en- 
deavouring by every species of intrigue to pave the 
way for an easy conquest over the arms and allegiance 
of the subjects of his august and honourable ally. 



11 

The machinations of Napoleon have ever been as 
much against the principles, as the personal liberties 
of men. Former conquerors were content vi^ith sub- 
jecting nations by the power of the sword. His aim is 
a deeper destruction: he attacks the moral principle. 
He subdues, by seduction, from the rule of law, from 
the standard of conscience; and having, like the arch- 
fiend, trammelled the souls of his captives, he hopes 
to keep them in perpetual, because desperate, slavery. 
I need not particularize the objects in Russia, of this 
his system of mental vassalage: some few fell victims 
to his spells, but the many, the worthy of the name of 
Russians, remained impregnable to the most deter- 
mined, most wily assaults of his art. 

The impatience of Napoleon to compel every state 
under his influence to adopt what he calls The Conti- 
nental System^ and which means the exclusion of all 
commerce with England, exciting him to extraordi- 
nary and imperative demands of Russia: the insolent 
declarations of his power to enforce obedience to his 
will, alarmed the independent spirit of the Emperor 
Alexander; and made him wisely prepare, in silencCy 
for a rupture which no flatteries of the tyrant, nor 
suggestions from the world's panic, could persuade 
him to compromise. 

The Common Disturber of Europe soon learned 
from his agents in Russia, that it was their opinion the 
people was not to be corrupted; and that his favourite 
System could not, by any method whatever, be forced 
upon the ruler of such a people. Napoleon laughed at 



12 

these representations. A man without houourj believes 
the integrity of all others impugnable. He is a very 
Proteus in politics. Again and again every subtilty 
was tried, every temptation offered; but Alexander 
frowned on the vain art, and repulsed it. 

Napoleon continued to dissemble and to intrigue; for 
the moment of unfolding his ultimate plans was not 
yet arrived: and with a semblance of the most ardent 
friendship, grasping at the most intimate bonds of 
connexion, he essayed to cajole the unsullied faith 
of the Emperor Alexander. Even while his serpent 
tongue wove this Machiavelian net, with hands more 
numerous than those of Briareus, he was secretly pre- 
paring the means of subverting the Russian Empire^ 
and establishing upon its ruins and those of Europe 
a dominion that would command the sovereignty of 
the world. 

Russia now saw clearly the impending storm; and 
no exertion was neglected on her part, to prepare 
against its rage. Her troops, by degrees, spread them- 
selves along her vast frontier; and took up the best 
positions that the probable circumstances of her situa- 
tion could point out. A force of four hundred thou- 
sand strong, public report said was then extended 
from the shores of the Baltic to the extremity of Vol- 
hynia; but as the casualties incident to a Russian 
armament are numerous, we cannot confidently rate 
this body of men, at the commencement of the cam- 
paign, at more than two hundred thousand effective 
soldiers. 



13 

While Alexander was silently drawing these lines 
of circumvallation around his frontiers; lines of brave 
men, more impregnable than bulwarks of stone or 
iron; Napoleon, conscious that it had never been his 
intention to fulfil his engagements in the Treaty of 
Tilsit, and perceiving that Russia was now aware of 
his premeditated breach of faith and determined future 
hostility, endeavoured, through the medium of his 
ambassadors at the Court of St. Petersburgh, to cast 
an insidious gloze on all that had passed; and by mis- 
representation, falsehood, and sophistry, to throw the 
blame of the approaching rupture upon the Northern 
Emperor. 

Even in the third year (1810) of this hollow peace^ 
France was seen to manifest serious designs of in- 
vading the Russian dominions. Napoleon was com- 
pelled to understand that, in spite of his menaces, 
Russia would have a commerce with England; that 
she would not, in consenting to him as an ally, yield 
her own equal rights of maintaining her people, and 
replenishing her treasury, by those honest arts which 
give to peace a value beyond that of mere personal 
security. He saw that ukases were repeatedly issued 
to encourage a commerce with England: and more 
and more irritated by the steady policy of Alexander, 
he decided, not only on the destruction of that princCj, 
but on the annihilation of his empire. 

Notwithstanding these sentiments of each other, 
and the preparations which both were quietly making, 
the one to commit, and the other to resist violence^ 



14 

diplomatic civilities passed between the two courts. 
Alexander maintained a dignified silence; and Napo- 
leon, carefully masking his face when turned to Rus- 
sia, was moving all his engines in other countries, to 
excite their armies to assist his in overwhelming her 
with ruin. During the year 1811, his agent at Con- 
stantinople, pursuant to this scheme, exerted every 
nerve to keep up a war against Russia on the side of 
Turkey. No alarm was left unsounded, no promises 
spared, which might persuade the Grand Seignior to 
believe that the boasted Genius of France was fated to 
be also the prophet and protector of the Ottoman Im- 
perial line. 

The co-operation of Sweden was solicited by simi- 
lar means. Provided she would engage to march a 
large army towards the Russian frontier on her side^ 
while a French force should invade the empire on the 
quarters of Poland and Prussia, Napoleon proffered 
her, as an indemnification, all Finland, and vast acces- 
sions to her Pomeranian territories. 

Treaties of defensive alliance were concluded with 
Austria and Prussia. Dantzic was reinforced, and pro- 
vided with stores of all kinds. And the rest of the 
strong Prussian fortresses which, according to articles 
in the Treaty of Tilsit, ought to have been evacuated 
by the French troops, had, on the contrary, their gar- 
risons considerably augmented. Columns of troops 
from France, as well as from the various states which 
comprised the Confederation of the Rhine, were knov/n 
to be on their march towards the Vistula. 



15 

Such military preparations, together with the rati- 
fication of treaties of the most intimate alliances be- 
tween France, Austria, and Prussia, left no doubt in 
the mind of the Emperor Alexander as to the object 
of their proceedings. He saw that the time was now 
come to take his station at the head of the army his 
precaution had so wisely provided; and quitting his 
capital about the 22d of April, 1812, he arrived on 
the 26th at Wilna, where he established his head- 
quarters. 



The army of Napoleon was all in motion. The con- 
federate princes of Germany had sent their tributary 
powers; and a reluctant remnant, of about ten thousand 
Spaniards and Portuguese, had been pressed into the 
service. Not less than four hundred thousand men 
were ranged under the despot's standard; and by the 
beginning of May, 1812, the banks of the Vistula 
were overshadowed by his thronging legions. 

Napoleon left Paris in May, and found himself at 
the head of his grand army on the 16th of June. A 
finer or more complete force never was marshalled 
by the destructive abilities of man. It possessed the 
elite y not only of the French nation, but that of all 
her confederates; and, to give efficiency to so formi- 



dable a strength, was commanded by the most cele- 
brated captain of the age. 

This mighty array had been a work of deliberation. 
Its ambitious leader had long sought to make a vassal 
of his imperial ally, or to push him to the extremity 
of a rupture. Through the medium of Prince Koura- 
kin, Napoleon, while at Paris, had precipitated that 
decision from St. Petersburgh, which he looked for 
to give him an excuse for the meditated invasion. His 
demands were, that Russia must immediately adopt, 
without any reservation, the continental system, to the 
exclusion and destruction of all commerce whatever 
with England. The style of this message, as well as 
its purport, was in a strain to offend the dignity, as 
well as the just political views of the Emperor Alex- 
ander; but he treated it so far with forbearance as to 
commission his ambassador at Paris, while he refused 
compliance to the extent required, to use every means, 
consistent with the character of the Russian nation, to 
preserve the peace. 

The demand was repeated without any softening 
terms; and Alexander's reply was still in the same 
spirit. Much as he wished to maintain a friendship 
with France, nothing should induce him to attempt it 
at so dear a price, as compromising the ultimate good 
of his country, by the sacrifice of its commerce. To 
this resolution, he added a protest against the French 
occupation of the Duchy of OJdenberg. This resolu- 
tion, aY)d thi^ protest, were immediately construed by 
Napoleon into demands "arrogant and extraordinary!"" 



17 

and announced by him as equivalent to a declaration 
of war. Still, however, his hypocrisy was not satisfied 
with the part it had already acted; he must have ano= 
ther scene of fawning, yet insulting, overtures of re= 
cementing an alliance which it was his own determined 
object to break. 

To this purpose he dispatched his aide-de-camp. 
General Narbonne, to Wilna, to know whether the 
Emperor Alexander would at last withdraw his ex- 
traordinary demands. The General was heard and an- 
swered; and, after a very short stay at the Russian 
head-quarters, carried back this reply, — That his Im- 
perial Majesty would negociate with Napoleon, as soon 
as ever he had withdrawn his troops from the Polish 
and Prussian frontiers. 

This message, and the information that General 
Lauriston had been refused permission to visit Wilna 
for the purpose of having an interview with Alexan- 
der, so enraged Napoleon, that he exclaimed — " The 
conquered assume the tone of conquerors — Fate leads 
them on — Let their destiny be accomplished!" 

He spoke a Delphic oracle in these words; for they 
certainly are accomplished, though in a manner directly 
contrary to his translation of their meaning. 

Without a moment's delay, at the same instant he 
issued orders to cross the Niemen, and to send forth 
the following address to his troops. 



18 



" SOLDIERS! 

" The second Polish war is commenced. The first 
was terminated at Friedland and Tilsit. At Tilsit 
Russia swore eternal alliance with France, and as 
eternal a war with England. She now violates her 
oaths. She declares she will give no explanation of 
her strange conduct, until the French eagles have re- 
passed the Rhine; leaving, by that abandonment, our 
allies at her discretion. 

'* Russia is led on by a fatality. Her destiny must 
be fulfilled! 

" Does she believe us degenerated? Are we no 
longer the soldiers of Austerlitz? She places us be- 
tween dishonour and war. The choice is not doubtful. 
We march forward! we pass the Niemen! and will 
carry war into the heart of her territory. The second 
Polish war will be as glorious to the arms of France 
as was the first. But the peace which we shall con- 
clude will carry its own guarantee: it will annihilate 
that proud and over-bearing influence which, for fifty 
years, Russia has exercised over the affairs of Eu- 
rope." 

" Head-quarters, Wilhowiski, 
June22d, 1812." 

On the twenty -third of the same month, the head- 
quarters of Napoleon were removed to the neighbour- 
hood of Kovna, v/ithin a league of the Niemen. After 
visiting the line of posts on that river, and throwing 
across three bridges at the several points selected for 



19 

the passage, at an early hour in the evening the army 
was in motion; and by eleven at night the three 
columns had reached the opposite shore. The light 
troops arriving at Kovna in great force, and falling 
unexpectedly on a body of Cossacs, who occupied 
that town, drove them out with terrible slaughter. 
Thus, in this spot, were hostilities commenced! 

The news soon reached the Russian head-quarters; 
and the aggression was of too deep a dye to allow of 
any farther forbearance. That his people might not be 
ignorant of the end to which this treacherous act 
(committed in the very hour of negociation) was to 
lead, the Emperor addressed to them the following 
declaration. 

** We have long observed the hostile intentions of 
the Emperor of the French against Russia. But we 
hoped, by our forbearance, to allay the adverse spirit; 
and to convince him, by our moderation, of the policy 
as well as justice of not seeking to overwhelm all Eu- 
rope by the weight of one power. \ 

" Our amicable efforts were repeatedly disappoint- 
ed; and, at last, seeing that our patience rather invited 
insult, than persuaded to confidence, we found our- 
selves obliged to resign our wish of preserving the 
tranquillity of our people, (if that might be called 
tranquillity, which must have been purchased by the 
sacrifice of all their dearest interests]) and to fiy to 
arms. Though brought even to this point, that the 
enemy might have no excuse for the violation of his 



20 

faith, we refused not to fisten to the embassies he 
continued to send to our quarters; still shewing our 
will to avoid a rupture, though we kept our station 
on the frontiers, ready to maintain the peace or to 
support a war. 

" But neither moderation nor forbearance had other 
effect on the French Emperor, than to give him time 
in which to act his premeditated breach of all honour. 
While the pacific words of his aide-de-camp, the 
Count Narbonne, were yet sounding in our ear, he 
crossed the Niemen, attacked Kovna! and thus, by a 
deed of the basest and most sanguinary aggression, 
began the war. 

*< The hope of peace, without a contest, is at an 
end; and we have now no other resource than to op- 
pose our brave soldiers to the invader, and to invoke 
the Supreme Judge of all, to bless the Righteous 
Cause! 

" We have no occasion to remind our Generals, or 
Commanders of regiments, or our troops in general, 
what is either their duty or their honour. The blood 
of the Sclavonians, so illustrious by their virtues and 
their victories, flows in their veins. Soldiers! you de- 
fend your Faith, your Country, and your Liberty! Your 
Emperor marches at your head, and the God of Jus- 
tice is against the Aggressor! 

" Alexander." 
^« Wilna, 1 3th of June, 1 8 1 2, O. S. 
25th of June, 1812, N. S." 



21 

Independent of this manifesto, the Emperor ad- 
dressed an official letter to Marshal Count Soltikoff, 
president of the imperial council of state, in which he 
repeats the substance of what he had addressed to the 
nation; but, entering into more particular details of 
the French subtilties and dishonour, concludes the 
communication with these magnanimous words: 

" My brave people, attacked in their very homes, 
know well how to defend them with a perseverance 
that will never ground its arms till the independence 
of the nation terminates the war. And for myself, I 
will never sheath the sword while a single enemy re- 
mains within the precincts of the empire." 



The trumpet of hostilities having been now sound= 
ed from both camps, the adverse armies put them- 
selves in general motion. The force employed by 
France to draw down upon Russia her *' inevitable 
destiny," was thus divided and commanded. 

A leading corps, composed chiefly of cavalry and 
flying artillery, was under the orders of Murat (King 
of Naples). 

The first corps. Marshal Davoust (Prince of Eck- 
muhl). 



22 

The second corps. Marshal Oudinot (Duke of 
Reggio). 

The third corps. Marshal Ney (Duke of Elchin- 

gen). 

The fourth and sixth corps. Beauharnois (Viceroy 
of Italy). 

The fifth and seventh (the seventh being Regnier, 
Saxons, and Dombrossky's corps), and the eighth, 
were under the orders of Jerome Buonaparte (King 
of Westphalia). 

The ninth corps, Victor (Duke of Belluno). 

The tenth corps (composed of French and Prus- 
sians). Macdonald (Duke of Tarento). 

The corps of Marshals Davoust, Ney, Oudinot, 
Macdonald, the Prince Poniatoffsky, and that of the 
guards, passed the Niemen, almost at the same time, 
at Jourboorg, Kovna, Olitta, and Mercez. This ad- 
vance commenced on the 28d of June, when the 
French troops completely established themselves on 
the right bank of the Niemen; and, by the 26th, they 
had pushed their light cavalry to within nine or ten 
leagues of Wilna. 

When Alexander received information of these 
movements, he gave orders for the immediate reunion 
of his army at Drissa. But that point of concentration 
being at a considerable distance from the frontiers; 
and those frontiers stretching to an immense extent 
on all sides; and along which the troops had been ne- 
cessarily spread to defend them; (as it was not to be 



23 

divined at what part the enemy would first oppose 
himself); a complete obedience to this command must 
take time to accomplish. When the Emperor issued 
this order, the Russian army occupied the following 
places: 

Head-quarters were at Wilna, where were stationed 
a part of the Imperial guards. A reserve of that corps 
was at Swantziany. The whole was commanded by 
Barclay de Tolly in chief. 

The right of the first division, consisting of thirty 
thousand men, stretching from Chawli to Telch and 
Wilkomir, was commanded by Count Vigtenstein. 

The second division, consisting of twenty-five thou- 
sand men; which had previously occupied Kovna, 
but on the approach of the enemy to the banks of the 
Niemen, had fallen back to Schirving, between Wil- 
komir and Wilna, was under General Baggavout. 

The third and fourth divisions of Generals Shou- 
valoff and ToutchkoflP, each amounting to twenty-six 
thousand men, occupied Novtroky, and from thence 
to Lida. These divisions were called the First Army. 

A part of General Dochtorroff 's, (or the Fifth di- 
vision, amounting to tv/enty thousand men), under 
Count Palhen, occupied Grodno. Dochtorroff had, 
some short time before, been detached from the Se- 
cond Army^ which consisted of sixty thousand men, 
and was commanded by Prince Bragation, then sta- 
tioned at Bainstock and Wilkowiski, together with a 
large body of Cossacs under Platoff. 



24 

A corps of observation, amounting to twenty-five 
thousand men, under the command of General Tor- 
mozofF, was left at Loutzk. And Generals Essen and 
Steingel, commanded in and near Riga, a body of 
twenty thousand. 

In the event of a rupture, the plan of the campaign, 
determined on by the Emperor Alexander and his 
military council, was, as a first measure, that of re- 
tiring to the banks of the Dwina; where a strengthen- 
ed position was preparing, at Drissa, to receive the 
whole concentrated force of the Russians. Experience 
had taught them, from the late wars, and by the bril- 
liant example in the western Peninsula, that the only 
mode of ensuring ultimate success against the present 
enemy, was that of a protracted warfare. To this 
plan, they added that of laying waste the intermediate 
country; sacrificing a province of their own empire, 
even to the demolition of towns and villages, that the 
enemy might have no means of subsistence, no shelter 
for his troops. 

Drissa was the point of re-union, and accordingly 
every branch of the extended Russian army moved 
towards it. On the 28th of June, the rear of the main 
body left the city of Wilna, after having destroyed 
nearly every thing in the magazines which might have 
been of service to the enemy. It crossed the Vilia 
with a trifling loss, burning the wooden bridge by 
which they passed that river. 

Count Vigtenstein left Wilkomir and its neighbour- 
hood, proceeding to Breslau, where he arrived on the 



25 

7th of July. The reserve of guards stationed at Swent- 
ziany, moved forward to pass the Dvvina; whilst the 
corps of Baggavout, Toutchkoff, and SchouvalofF, 
formed their union at the same time in and about 
Widzy. By these movements it was hoped the com- 
munication was ensured with the division of Dochtor- 
1 -off, which was in the neighbourhood of Weleyka. 

Without losing a moment, when Prince Bragation 
w as apprised that the enemy had effected the passage 
of the Niemen, he set his army in motion, to effect a 
junction with the main body at Drissa. To cover this 
march, which he foresaw would be traversed by innu- 
merable difficulties, he ordered Platoff to move upon 
Groclno. 

During these movements the French followed the 
steps of their adversary with eager activity; and, it 
was plainly perceptible that the object of Napoleon 
was to turn the right flank of the Russians, and to cut 
off the re-union of Dochtorroff. Could he effect this 
final st^paration, he would completely throw himself 
between the first and the second armies, and so Alex- 
ander's plan of defence would be destroyed. 

The official reports of the French leader relating to 
this period of the campaign, would lead us to attach 
some blame to the Russian Commander in chief, Bar- 
clay de l^olly, for the precipitancy of the retreat from 
Wilna to Drissa; and also for leaving General Doch- 
torroff several days without orders, and Prince Bra- 
gation in total ignorance of the steps that had been 

D 



26 

taken to form a junction of the two armies on the op- 
posite shore of the Dwina. 

With respect to DochtorrofF, it was well known 
that on the 30th his corps reached Ochmiani, and that 
the Prince had, according to the exigency of the mo- 
ment, put himself in full advance to approach the cen-/ 
tre of the main army. DochtorroiF, although foUowecf: 
up by a force of the enemy far superior in numberfi 
to his own, so well disposed his cavalry and ligl/it 
troops, that he reached Borodino, with a very triflir/ig 
loss, on the 4th of July; having sustained the repeat/ed 
attacks of the different corps of Borde, Soult, Nan- 
souty, and Pajol. Thus, by his courage and activ/ity, 
he gained the left shore of the Dwina, and secured his 
passage of the river. , 

Meanwhile the right of the army, covered By its 
cavalry and light troops, with intrepid resolution, con- 
tinued its movements upon Drissa. On the 6th of 
July, the rear guard, under the command of I^/Iajor- 
Generals Korff and Koutaitzoff, was attacked n«!iar the 
river Dziasna, by the troops of Murat,suppor|1;ed by 
a strong corps of flying artillery under the command 
of General Montebrune. The Russian dragoons re- 
ceived the charge with their usual steadiness^ and at- 
tacking in their turn with a regiment of Polisl:^ Hulans, 
and the Cossacs of the guards, aided by several pieces 
of light artillery, completely repulsed the enejmy; who 
left in the hands of the victors several officers; 
amongst whom was Prince Hohenloe-kirchberg, in 
the service of the King of Wirtemburg. Tiiere were 



27 

also fifty or sixty soldiers. This advantage allowed 
the Russian troops to gain the opposite side of the 
river without farther molestation; and to destroy the 
bridges. 

On the 8th of July the main body passed the Dwi- 
na at Dinaburg, leaving the rear guard at the distance 
of a short march; and on the 9th, most of the divisions 
entered the entrenched camp at Drissa. 

Thus was effected this momentous movement, after 
a rapid and severe march of eleven days, during which 
the troops never relaxed their usual firmness and dis- 
cipline. Indeed their loss was comparatively inconsi- 
derable; for, from the commencement of their falling 
back from Wilna, until they entered Drissa, it did not 
exceed in killed, wounded, and prisoners, six hundred 
men. The enemy suffered equally, if not in a greater 
proportion; the Russians having made, in casual skir- 
mishes during this retreat, above three hundred priso- 
ners. 

The weather had been extremely hot, and was suc- 
ceeded by a sharp cold, accompanied with very heavy 
rains. This circumstance was an auxiliary to Russia, 
for Napoleon complains of it, as having greatly retard- 
ed his advance; although it so little affected the expe- 
rienced sons of the North, that they gained their 
entrenchments without the loss of a single piecje of 
artillery. 

Owing to indisposition, arising from the late extra- 
ordinary fatigues, Count Schouvaloff found himself 
obliged to withdraw from the army; and the command 



28 

of his division was given to General Cqurit Ostermaii 
Tolstoy, an officer of the first military talents, and 
who, at that time, was in the suite of his Emperor. 

The Imperial Alexander, setting the true example 
of a hero, that of sharing with his soldiers their seve- 
rest toils, never quitted his troops one hour during the 
whole of their rigorous march; and his hardihood was 
rewarded, for he had constant opportunities of being 
assured of their animated loyalty to his person, and of 
their impatience to be led against the enemy. 

Great as was the satisfaction he felt at these demon- 
strations, he was obliged to check their ardour, until 
the moment should arrive when circumstances would 
permit him to give it way to advantage. 

On taking possession of the fortified camp at Dris- 
sa, his majesty addressed his army, in the general or- 
ders of the day, in these terms: 

"RUSSIAN WARIUORS! 

" You have at length reached the object towards 
which we directed our views. When the enemy dared 
to pass the boundaries of our Empire, you were upon 
its frontiers in order to protect them; but until a com- 
plete reunion of our troops could be effected, it be- 
came necessary to curb your intrepid courage; and to 
fall back to our present position. We came here to as- 
semble and to concentrate our forces. Our calcula- 
tions have been propitious. The whole of the first 
army is now on this spoto 



29 

" Soldiers! The field is open to that valour so nobly 
obedient to restraint, so eager to maintain the renown 
already given to its name. You will now gather lau- 
rels worthy of yourselves, and of your ancestors. This 
day, already signalised by the battle of Pultowa, will 
recall to you the exploits of your forefathers. The re- 
membrance of their valour, the voice of their fame, 
summon you to surpass both by the glory of your 
deeds! Their vigorous arms ever knew the enemies 
of their country. Go, then! in the spirit of your 
fathers, annihilate that enemy who dares to attack 
your faith, your honour, even your hearths, surround- 
ed by your wives and children! 

" God! witness of the justice of your cause, will 
sanctify your arms with his divine benediction! 

" Camp at Drissa, 27th June, 1812, O. S. 
9th July, 1812, N. S." 



The army of Prince Bragation (usually called the 
Second Army) continued its advance towards Wilna; 
but on reaching the environs of the town of Ivie, he 
found his intended line of march already occupied by 
the enemy, and that it would be a desperate sacrifice 
of his troops to attempt by force a passage to the left 
of the main army. He knew that army must now be 
too far distant to afford him any hope, (even could he 



30 

penetrate the enemy's columns,) to reach it before it 
must have passed the Dwina. 

No doubt being left in his mind of his being, for 
the present, effectually separated from the main army, 
he judged it best to direct his march towards Minsk. 
But again he was intercepted: on his approach to that 
city, he discovered that it was already in the posses- 
sion of Davoust. Before the French could take any 
advantage of his dilemma, the Prince made a retro- 
gade and well ordered movement on the road to 
Sioutsk; hoping from thence to reach Mohiloff, and 
then to gain Vitepsk, time enough to elude the seve- 
ral detachments of the enemy, now on the alert to cut 
him off. 

In order to cover Bragation*s designs. General Pla- 
toif, with his Cossacs and light artillery, left Lida, and 
passed through Novogrodeck towards Mire and Nes- 
wick. On the 7th of July, at Korelistchi, he was met 
by the advanced guard of Jerome Buonaparte's army, 
consisting of three columns of cavalry, which the 
brave Hetman drove back with considerable slaughter. 
The next day he was again attacked (having pre- 
viously occupied the suburbs of Mire) by an aug- 
mented force, under the command of the Polish Gene- 
ral Rosnitsky. The combat continued several hours, 
and was sustained with obstinacy on both sides, till at 
last the persevering courage of the Russians prevailed, 
and three regiments of Polish Hulans were completely 
destroyed. Their General Tournou, was the only man 
who escaped. The victory was so decisive that the 



31 

enemy abandoned the field of battle, leaving upwards 
of one thousand six hundred killed, and three hundred 
and fifty prisoners in the hands of their conquerors. 
The loss on the Russian side did not exceed six 
hundred, including officers, amongst whom, though 
all were brave, there was none of distinction. 

After this advantage, PlatofF directed his troops 
towards Romanoff: but there a fresh rencontre awaited 
him, with a body yet more formidable than either of 
those he had so lately defeated. The French bore 
down upon him with tremendous force and numbers; 
but the invincible Cossac was immoveable. He sus- 
tained the impetuosity of their fire, and then over- 
whelmed them with the fury of his own. They fled 
before him for more than three leagues, leaving the 
first regiment of chasseurs a cheval, and also the gre- 
nadiers a cheval (some of the most prized troops in 
Napoleon's service) dead on the field. Platoff made 
prisoners in this brilliant affair, two colonels, sixteen 
officers, and three hundred men. Returning from pur- 
suit, he retraced his steps to Romanoff, in order to 
keep up with the movements of Bragation, who was 
advancing by forced marches upon Mohiloff. 

That Prince having displayed consummate skill, 
and made almost unexampled exertions, to form a 
junction with the main army, felt the bitterest disap- 
pointment at finding himself still so far distant from 
that great object. And yet when we reflect on the ex- 
tended frontier of six hundred wersts, menaced at all 
points of attack by an army nearly double in numbers 



32 

to that of the Russians, it is not surprising that the 
body of troops forming the Russian left, having a vast 
line of country to traverse, should be prevented 
making a re-union with its main army. 

Notwithstanding every art being adopted by Na- 
poleon, to impose upon the Emperor Alexander; and 
to throw him off his guard, by the flattering negocia- 
tions of General Narbonne; though he even stooped 
to the treachery of passing his troops over the Nie- 
men, while he affected to proffer peace, yet he failed 
to find the dupe he expected in the Russian Emperor: 
Alexander had been taught a lesson in politics by this 
wily usurper, which, though he disdained to bring it 
into his own actions, yet furnished him with a talisman 
by which he untwisted the truth from the falsehood 
in the proceedings of his adversary. The knowledge 
of a poison suggests its antidote: and the Russian 
monarch lost no time in preparing against the treache- 
rous arrows of the French leader. 

The Rubicon of honour had long been passed by 
Napoleon, before he plunged his hostile troops into 
the waters of the Niemen. The affair of Kovna afford- 
ed him a bloody sacrifice to propitiate the furies to 
whom his soul was devoted. And Alexander, aware 
of the hatred, as well as ambition, which impelled his 
career, made every prompt movement to accelerate 
the concentration of the Russian forces at a station of 
advantage. 

Even the officers of the invading army could not 
help bearing testimony to the fine order in which this 



33 

rapid retreat was made; and Napoleon himself is com- 
pelled to give it his share of praise, by not venturing 
to fabricate a boast, in any of his reports at this time, 
of having gained even the smallest advantage over the 
retiring army. Could he have discovered in their steps 
the minutest traces of any of the natural calamities in- 
cident to ill-ordered retrograde movements, there is no 
doubt that the pen he dictates would have magnified 
the most trifling disasters into shapes of misery and 
destruction. The only remark we find concerning the 
events of this memorable retreat, is as follows: 

" Ten days after the opening of the campaign, our 
advanced posts are upon the banks of the Dwina! Al- 
most all Lithuania, a country containing four millions 
of inhabitants, is conquered! The movements of the 
army commenced on the Vistula. The projects of the 
Emperor were then revealed; and there was not an 
instant to be lost in putting them into execution. The 
Russians were engaged in concentrating their force at 
Drissa. They announced a determination there to 
await our approach, and give us battle. They now talk 
of fighting, after having abandoned, without a stroke, 
their Polish possessions! Perhaps they adopted that 
peaceable mode of evacuation, as an act of justice; by 
way of making some restitution to a country which 
they had acquired neither by treaty, nor by the right 
of conquest." 



E 



34 

If it were possible that Napoleon could really ima- 
gine that " to make restitution" was the motive of 
this retreat of the Russians, we might be led to con- 
ceive (on reviewing the ground they passed over), 
what would be his marks of restitution^ were he in- 
duced, in a fit of remorse, to vacate any of the coun- 
tries which he now possesses " neither by treaty, nor 
by the right of conquest!" It was Alexander's wise 
policy to leave a desart in the path of the French 
leader. It was no wanton exercise of power, no exul- 
tation in human miseries, which made him lay waste 
the country from the Vistula to the banks of the Dwi- 
na; but to compel nature to be his auxiliary against 
the most subtle and ruthless invader that ever tram- 
pled upon her rights. In extraordinary cases, extraor-^ 
dinary means must be resorted to: and where the 
properties, lives, liberties, and consciences of men are 
at stake, the purchase is comparatively small which 
surrenders the first, and puts the second to hazard, to 
secure, in the remainder, all that is most valuable to 
the true character of man. Alexander and his brave 
people have acted upon this principle; and the grand 
result has claimed the admiration and the gratitude of 
unfettered Europe. 

The first army having successfully gained the en- 
trenchments at Drissa, the Commander-in-chief hoped 
that Bragation, though not able to reach that point, 
might gain Vitepsk; and by that means come in upon 
his left. In this expectation the main army remained 



35 

in its guarded position; intending not to offer battle 
till supported by its second army. 

The enemy's column under the command of Mar- 
shal Oudinot, having reached the neighbourhood of 
Dunaboorg, on the morning of the 18th, vigorously 
attacked the head of the bridge, where the Russians 
had constructed some works. Major-General Oulanoff 
received the charge with great presence of mind, and 
drove them back with a rapidity which occasioned 
them no small surprise. However, they renewed the 
affair next day; and again were repulsed, and so de- 
cisively that their commander found it expedient to 
move off his right towards Drouya, whilst the cavalry 
under Murat took possession of Dissna. 

Count Vitgenstein (whose present military reputa- 
tion was then presaged by the hopes of the people), 
observing that the French posts on the opposite shore 
were negligently guarded, ordered Major-General 
Koulneff, with the regiment of Grodno, and a few 
squadrons of Cossacs, to pass the river. A flying 
bridge was instantly constructed; and before the 
enemy were aware, the Russian force had not only 
gained the left bank of the Dwina, but had fallen upon 
them; and in a very short time drove them several 
wersts beyond their posts; leaving six hundred of 
their killed on the ground, and taking many prisoners. 
The French General of brigade, Saint Genies (who 
was wounded), with numerous officers, and two hun- 
dred men, were among the latter. 



36 

Sebastiani commanded in chief during this unex» 
pected encounter, which happened a Pimproviste un- 
doubtedly, as the words of the French bulletin express 
it. And so far it speaks true; but to palliate the effects 
of this un military carelessness on the part of the 
French General, he represents Koulneff's force to 
amount to eighteen thousand men, a number beyond 
the power of the most expert calculator to extract from 
a single regiment of hussars, and a few squadrons of 
Cossacs. But accuracy is not a quality much prized 
in the school of Napoleon. 

The enemy, finding that no impression could be 
made on the right of the first army, and that the 
works it occupied on the opposite bank were too for- 
midable to be attempted, determined to push forward 
to Vitepsk, to which point the corps of Beauharnois, 
Davoust, and Mortier, were already approaching. 

To keep pace with these movements, the left flank 
of the Russians made a rapid advance towards Po- 
lotzk. And as there now remained no probability of 
an immediate re-union with Prince Bragation's troops, 
the Commander-in-chief determined to retire to Smo- 
lensk; where, he hoped, no doubt could be entertain- 
ed, that the first and second armies would reach head- 
quarters about the same time. This happy junction 
would enable him to await with sufficient confidence 
the event of a battle. 



37 



It has before been remarked that when hostilities 
commenced on the banks of the Vistula, the total 
effective force of the Russians did not amount to more 
than two hundred and forty thousand men; whilst that 
of the French allied armies counted full four hundred 
thousand. Besides which, the activity of Napoleon 
was making vast preparations for yet further augmen- 
tations under the Generals Augereau and Victor. 

The Emperor Alexander, finding the great supe- 
riority of his adversary's numbers, and being aware 
that the fate of Europe depended on the success of 
the Northern War, determined on breasting the occa- 
sion with his whole strength. For this purpose, he 
turned himself to call forth the energies of his people; 
and make every exertion in his own power, to provide 
instant reinforcements for the army. He foresaw that 
even the wished-for junction of his first and second 
armies, could not, though crowned with victory in 
the expected gre^t battle, present a force at all equal 
to follow to advantage the glory of the day. He now 
stood forth, single-handed, against the united powers 
of the continent; and those commanded by a man 
hitherto deemed invincible. This was not a contest, 
whose reward might be a brilliant action, and its ter- 
mination a compromising treaty. Its victories must 
lead to the annihilation of the enemy; its end must be 
the liberty and peace of Europe. Such was the great 



38 

commission which the Emperor of Russia felt he was 
delegated to fulfil; and with the eloquence of a soul 
inspired with its cause, he thus addresses his people. 
He first speaks to his subjects of Moscow, and then 
to the nation at large. 

" TO OUR ANCIENT CITY AND IVIETROPOLIS OF MOSCOW! 

"The enemy, with unparalleled perfidy, and a 
force equal to his boundless ambition, has entered the 
frontiers of Russia. His design is the ruin of our 
country. The Russian armies burn with impatience 
to throw themselves upon his battalions, and chastise, 
at the expense of their lives, this treacherous invasion. 
But our paternal tenderness for our faithful subjects, 
will not allow of so desperate a sacrifice. We will not 
suiFer our brave soldiers to bleed on the altars of this 
Moloch. W^ must meet him in the field, man to 
man, in equal combat; he for his ambition, we for our 
country! 

" Fully informed of the malignant intentions of our 
enemy, and of the ample means with which he has 
provided himself to execute those intentions, we do 
not hesitate to declare to our people the danger in 
which the Empire is placed; and to call upon them to 
disappoint, by their patriotic exertions, the advantages 
which the invader now hopes to gain by our present 
inferiority of numbers. 

" Necessity commands that we should assemble a 
new force, in the interior, to support that which is 



39 

now face to face with the enemy, and determined to 
perish or remain a barrier between him and the liber- 
ties of their country. To collect this new army, we 
address ourself to the ancient capital of our ancestors, 
to the city of Moscow. She has always been the sove- 
reign city of all the Russias; and the first, in every 
case of public danger, to send forth from her arms 
her darling sons, to defend the honour of the Empire. 
As the blood invariably rushes to the hero's heart, 
there to summon every energy of the determined soul; 
so do the children of our country rush towards her 
from each surrounding province, seeking in her 
bosom the principle of that defence which must now 
shield the babe at its mother's breast, and guard from 
sacrilege the tombs of our fathers. 

" The very existence of our name in the map of 
nations is menaced. The enemy denounces DE- 
STRUCTION TO RUSSIA! 

*' The security of our Holy Church, the safety of 
the throne of the Tzars, the independence of the an- 
cient Muscovite Empire, all call aloud, that the ob- 
ject of this appeal may be received by our loyal 
subjects as a sacred decree! 

" We hasten to present ourself amidst our faithful 
people of Moscow; and from that centre will visit 
other parts of our Empire, to counsel and to direct 
the armaments. 

" May the hearts of our nobles, and those of all the 
other orders of the state, breathe forth the spirit of 
this Holy War, which is blessed by God, and fought 



40 

under the banners of His Christian Church! May the 
filial ardour spread itself from Moscow to the extre- 
mities of our dominions! And a force will then as- 
semble around their Monarch, that may defy the 
thousand legions of our treacherous invader. The ills 
which he has prepared for us, will then fall on his 
own head; and Europe, delivered from vassalage, may 
then celebrate the Name of — RUSSIA. 

(Signed) "Alexander," 

« Camp at Polotzk, July 6th, 1812, O. S. 
July 18th, 1812, N.S." 

The second address is, 

« TO THE NATION AT LARGE! 

" The enemy has passed our frontiers, and carries 
his arms into the interior of Russia. If perfidy cannot 
destroy an empire, which has existed with increasing 
dignity for so many ages, he has determined to assail 
it by force; and to storm the dominion of the Tzars 
with the collected powers of continental Europe. 

*' With treason in his heart, and fidelity on his lips, 
he courts the credulous ear, and binds the hands in 
chains: and when the virtue of the captive discovers 
the fetter under the wreath, then the spirit of bondage 
makes itself manifest, and summons war to rivet the 
spells of treachery! But Russia penetrates the wiles. 
The way of truth is open before her: she has invoked 
the protection of God. She opposes to the machina- 
tions of her enemy an army vehement in courage; and 



41 

eager to drive from her territory a race of locusts that 
burthen the earth; and whom that earth would reject 
from finding graves in her outraged bosom. 

" We call for armies sufficient to annihilate this 
enemy. Our soldiers, now in arms, are bold as lions 
rushing on their prey; but we disguise not from our 
loyal subjects, that the dauntless courage of our war- 
riors requires to be supported by an interior line of 
troops. The means ought to be proportioned to the 
end; and the end before us is to overwhelm the tyrant, 
who would overwhelm all the world. 

" We have called upon our ancient city of Moscow, 
the first metropolis in our empire, to take the lead, as 
she is wont to do, in bringing forth her sons to the 
Imperial aid. We next call upon all our subjects, 
in Europe and Asia, to assemble themselves together 
in the cause of Mankind! We call upon all our com- 
munities, Civil and Ecclesiastical, to co-operate with 
us in one general levy against the universal tyrant! 

" Wherever, in this empire, he may advance his 
invading foot, we are assured he will meet native sub- 
jects to rise upon his treachery; to disdain his flattery 
and his falsehoods; and, with the indignation of insult- 
ed virtue, trample upon his gold; and palsy, by the 
touch of true honour, his enslaved legions. In each 
Russian nobleman he will find a Pojarskoi (1*), in 
each ecclesiastic a Palitzin (2), and in each peasant a 
Minin (3)! 

* Notes to these marks will bo found at the end of the Volume- 



42 

" Nobles! you were, in every age, the defenders of 
your country! Holy Synod! and you, the members of 
our Church! have at all periods, by your intercessions, 
called down upon our empire the divine protectionl 
Russian people! intrepid posterity of the SclavoniansI 
it is not the first time that you have torn the teeth 
from the heads of the lions who have rushed upon 
you as prey, and met in the grasp their own destruc- 
tion! — Unite! carry the cross in your hearts, and 
the iron in your hands; and no human force can pre- 
vail against you! 

*' The organization of the new forces we delegate 
to the nobility of each province: and the care of as- 
sembling the brave patriots who present themselves 
for their country's defence, we leave to the gentlemen; 
amongst whom their officers may be chosen. The ag- 
gregate numbers must be sent to Moscow, where the 
whole will be duly marshalled. 

(Signed) "Alexander." 

" Given at our camp at Polotzk, July 6th, 1812, O. S. 

July 18th, 1812, N. S." 

The effect of these manifestoes was that of electri- 
city. The animating fire seemed to shoot at once 
through the veins of the whole empire; and with one 
according spirit every separate government vied with 
each other, which should be most prompt in sending 
out its most effective men to serve the general cause. 
Cities poured forth the choice of their youth, and vil- 
lages swarmed with sturdy peasants arming for the 
imperial legions. In these levies it was not necessary 



43 

to compel or to persuade. The impulse was in every 
Russian heart: his country's danger sounded the 
charge, and needed no other trumpet to plant him in 
the front of its array. 

Besides those who entered themselves to serve in 
the armies; many individuals evinced their zeal by 
large donations, both in money and diamonds, towards 
providing for the necessities of the war. Others raised 
whole regiments at their own private expence, arming, 
clothing, and mounting them. Several of the regi- 
ments contained one thousand two hundred men in 
each; and some of them were respectively commanded 
by the noblemen who had given them to their coun- 
try. As one instance, we find in the St. Petersburg!! 
Gazette of this time, 

" Count Soltikoff, a captain of the guards, retired 
from the Imperial service; Count Demetrius Momo- 
nofF, procureur of the Imperial senate; Demidoff, privy 
counsellor actuel; and Prince Gagarin, are desirous, 
from love to their country, to contribute in a particu- 
lar manner to the national armaments. They demand 
of his Imperial Majesty permission to raise, arm, and 
support, at their own charge, each a regiment. The 
first gives a regiment of hussars; the second, a regi- 
ment of Cossacs; the third, a regiment of chasseurs; 
and the fourth, a regiment of infantry. 

" The Emperor highly appreciates these proofs of 
affection towards himself, and love for their country!" 
And the offer was accepted. 



Alexander left his army to fulfil his promise to the 
ancient capital of the Empire, of soon appearing in 
that venerable scat of his ancestors. The inhabitants 
received him with the joy due to his virtues. He pro- 
ceeded, first to the cathedral of the Kremlin, where 
he returned thanks to heaven for the protection hitherto 
granted to his people, and invoked the Almighty aid 
in the present awful hour. He then went to the palace 
of the Tzars. Had it been necessary to animate his 
heart by the spirit of departed ages, there the shades 
of Peter the Great and the august Katherine would 
have met him, to nerve his imperial arm against the 
base, though formidable power which now conspired, 
by every means of perfidy and violence, to destroy 
the happiness and being of an Empire which they had 
erected at such expence of anxiety and labovir. But 
Alexander did not require the stimulus of this kind 
of sensibility. His just mind saw the danger of Eu- 
rope, it felt the peril of his own empire; and, with an 
undeviating resolution, to effect the deliverance of the 
one, and to set an example to the other, of a deter- 
mined hostility to the usurping ambition of Napoleon, 
he moved straight onward to his object: obtaining a 
power sufficient to meet, on something like equal 
terms, the invader of his coimtry. 

The day after his Majesty arrived in Moscow, a 
deputation of nobles waited upon him with a report 



45 

of the force which they voluntarily proposed to raise 
and equip for his imperial armies. They brought con- 
tributions of money also, and of every necessary 
which they thought possible for troops to require. 
The town and government of Moscow alone, engaged 
to send forth one hundred thousand men, armed and 
clothed, and disciplined as far as the short time would 
allow. The rest of the Russian governments according 
to their respective populations, hastened to follow the 
example of the sovereign city; and all sent out columns 
of armed patriots, quite independent of the regular re- 
quisitions to recruit the armies. Both levies went on 
with equal spirit — for one spirit seemed to animate 
the whole people. Merchants and tradesmen eagerly 
pressed forward with their gold. As one proof of 
which, we need only mention that the citizens of No- 
vogorode gave two hundred thousand rubles towards 
the expences of the war. 

In Russia, religion is a principle which pervades 
the palace and the cottage; elevating the commonest 
actions of the peasant, and sanctifying the solemnities 
of the state, with a constant reference to the Supreme 
Being. No transaction of any consequence, no great 
enterprise, is undertaken without an invocation to the 
Almighty Disposer of Events: and, when success is 
given, the first impulse of the favoured person is to 
go to the church, and there utter his pious thanks- 
givings. The earliest lessons which a Russian learns, 
both by precept and example, are his duty towards 
his God and his Emperor. And Alexander has well 



46 

shown the loyal Russian that the interest of his Em- 
peror and his Country are one. 

Anxious to engage every energy of his subjects in 
a contest which required the whole powers of the man 
to ensure the issue; and convinced of the justice of his 
cause, it was with no vain pretensions that he sought 
the co-operation of the church, to add its holy flame 
to the patriotic fire now kindled amongst his people. 
The religious principle being once introduced into 
the spirit of patriotism, is as the breath of immortal 
life breathed into its nostrils; and Alexander found he 
had not only acted according to his own feelings in 
bringing the influence of religion into the war, but 
had adopted the most politic measure, in lighting a 
train in the minds of his people, which would in a 
moment set the whole mass in a blaze. 

The Holy Synod accorded, hand and conscience, 
with the Emperor, and thus nobly seconded his pro- 
clamations: 

" From the hour in which the French nation, be- 
wildered by a demoniac phantom of liberty, overthrew 
the altars of God, and trampled on the throne of his 
anointed, the hand of the Divine vengeance has over- 
shadowed that people. It is not good to follow the 
multitude to do evil; and the nations which have pur- 
sued the destructive steps of France, share in the 
judgments which befal her. To the horrors of anarchy 
succeeded those of oppression, one struggle followed 



47 

that of another, and even peace had not power to give 
her repose. 

" The Church and the Empire of Russia, preserved 
by the goodness of God, as witnesses of his glory and 
mercy, have long been compassionate spectators of 
the miseries plucked by the nations on their own 
heads, by having deserted the protection of the Most 
High. Awful is the spectacle; and with devotion do 
we receive the warning, to strengthen our confidence 
in the Living God, and steadfastly to believe and act 
on the conviction, that where His displeasure falls no 
powers can avert the judgment, and where His favour 
rests, no machinations can prevail against it. 

" Let us then, in the hour of danger, array our- 
selves in the panoply of a holy courage! and, Russians! 
that hour is come! 

" An enemy, ambitious and insatiable, violating 
every sacred oath, and every bond of honour, forced 
himself into the bosom of your country. Despising 
the holy altars, while uttering the envenomed language 
of hypocrisy; breathing words of tender humanity, 
while his deeds are those of cruelty and murder; ap- 
proaching countries with the blandishments of friend- 
ship, and entering them with fire and sword, famine, 
pestilence, and death, in his train: such is the tyrant 
we call upon you to oppose. 

" Dear children of our church and of our country, 
arm! Defend the faith of your fathers; and, in your- 
selves, preserve from the foot of usurpation the unsul- 
lied loyalty which was their boast. Give freely, and 



48 

with gratitude to your God and his Vicegerent, part 
of what you hold of the empire and of heaven. Spare 
not your existence in this life, in the defence of the 
homes of your children, and of the church, whose 
charge is your eternal home, and your everlasting 
peace! 

" Recall to memory the times of your dauntless 
ancestors, who, in the name of God and his Divine 
Son, exposed themselves to every assault of infidelity 
in arms; and, with the weapons of faith and of cou- 
rage, fought and conquered. Recall to mind the days 
of Judea! For all that was written aforetime, was writ- 
ten for our example. It is as a beacon to our eyes! 

" We call upon you, ye of the higher ranks of the 
state, who have both the power and the right to claim 
the attention of your fellow subjects. We call upon 
you to take the lead in the path of honour! The eyes 
of the people are fixed upon you, and will follow your 
footsteps. May the God of Justice animate in you a 
new race of Joshuas, to go forth and overcome this 
second Amalek! May another race of judges, like 
unto them who saved Judea; and a succession of 
Maccabees, who humbled the confederacies against 
Israel, arise amongst your people to overwhelm the 
present enemy of mankind! 

" Above all, we sound the trumpet unto you, ye 
Ministers of the Holy Altar. By the example of Mo- 
ses, who, on the day of battle with Amalek, withdrew 
not his hands stretched forth unto the Lord; clasp 
your's in ardent prayer, until the arms of the adversary 



49 

have lost their strength, and he cry aloud unto the 
victors for mercy and for peace. 

" Inspire our warriors with a firm hope in the God 
of armies. Fortify, by the words of truth, men of 
feebler minds, whom ignorance exposes to the artifice 
of imposture. Instruct every order both by precept 
and action, to respect, above all things, their faith and 
their country. And should one of the sons of the 
priesthood, who may not have yet been consecrated 
to the sanctuary, burn with zeal to grasp the sword of 
patriotism, do ye bless him in the name of the church, 
and let him follow the filial impulse. 

*' Soldiers! while we thus call you to the field of 
war, we exhort, we supplicate you never to forp-et 
that it is also the field of justice. Abstain from all 
actions unworthy your great cause. Abhor every dis- 
order or license that would bring down on your heads 
the wrath of a Being who is not more the God of Re-= 
tribution, than the God of Mercy. We recommend 
to you the love of your neighbour, and the love of 
concord. And by such proof of virtue, you will fulfil 
the vows and the hopes of the ANOINTED of the 
Lord, the JUST ALEXANDER! 

" Convinced of the anti-christian intentions of the 
enemy, the Holy Church will unceasingly invoke the 
Lord of our strength to crown with the blessings of 
his peace, the heads of our victorious warriors; and 
that he will graciously accord to the heroes who fall 
in the defence of their country, an imperishable re- 
ward of happiness in the Eternal World! 

G 



50 

" FROM GOD FLOWS ALL GLORY AND 
ALL GOOD! 

" May these holy words be to the future, what they 
have been to the past — The strength and the war-cry 
of Russia!" 

By this subhme appeal to the noblest principle in 
man, the war, in fact, became a religious war; a cru- 
sade in which the redemption of all that is dear to the 
patriot, and to the christian, (who regards all mankind 
as brethren), was involved. They fought, not for the 
Holy Land, but for the Liberties and Consciences of 
men, a ground much more sanctified than Sinai or 
Sion; for man alone is the temple made by God for 
his own image to dwell in! Man in liberty; man ac- 
knowledging no superior but the laws of heaven, and 
the laws of human wisdom delegated by heaven. The 
yoke of a tyrant, is the yoke of baseness, and of crime; 
for the slave of a tyrant has no will but that of his 
lord. And how the will of a tyrant dictates, we have 
only to read the annals of French usurpations within 
these fifteen years; of French devastations; of French 
assassinations. The shades of D'Enghien, of Palm, of 
the murdered citizens of Moscow, and of many other 
countries over which Napoleon had no lawful con- 
troul, but where he shed innocent blood, rise up to 
sanctify the steel that is raised against him. 

Immediately on the promulgation of the address of 
the holy synod to the people of Moscow, the sons of 
the clergy offered themselves to bear arms in the war. 



51 

This was an event unprecedented in the history of 
Russia. They felt that the call was^no common one» 
'they felt, as the sons of Levi, that* the ark of their 
faith was in danger; and while their fathers knelt in 
the sanctuary, they grasped the sword of Gideon and 
of David. 

Such a general and extraordinary spirit of opposi- 
tion, never came within the calculation of Napoleon, 
He must be a patriot himself, to comprehend the ex- 
tent of the sacrifices which a patriot will make for the 
good of his country. Ambition leads a man to the 
brink of a precipice; but patriotism stops not there; 
he, if need be, will leap the gulph: and there guardian 
angels meet him. Nothing, on this earth, is too mighty 
for determined virtue to achieve. Napoleon has shown 
the wide grasp of ambition. Alexander unfolds to 
mankind, how far beyond it philanthropy may stretch 
its arms. 

Napoleon, when he entered Russia, pictured to 
himself, (or others did so for him, whose knowledge 
of the Russian nation ought to have been better), that 
the peasantry were impatient to shake oiF the power 
of their lords; and to abjure thecontroul of the priest- 
hood over their consciences. Whether the sway of 
their lords have been tyrannic, or the influence of the 
priests extended to superstition, the reception which 
these supposed slaves gave to the flattering seductions 
of the French, has made manifest. In vain did the 
dictator of kingdoms look for traitors amongst the 
descendants of a people whom neither the arms of the 



52 

Macedonian Alexander, nor the Ccesars of Rome, 
could make bencL to their eagles! Thousands flew to 
the respective standards of their governments: and* 
every town, and every village, resounded with impre- 
cations against the invaders; and expressions of un- 
shaken fidelity to their church, their Emperor, and 
their lords. 

Moscow honoured the confidence which the state 
had placed in her zeal, and set a glorious example to 
the rest of the Empire, by raising, in the course of a 
few days, some thousands of men, armed and clothed 
for the armies. The roads in all directions from the 
numerous Russian governments, were covered with 
patriots fully accoutred, according to the manner of 
their country. These brave people were neither dressed 
nor armed in the usual European style. The regular 
levies, being now so immense, it was found impossible 
to furnish a sufficient number of muskets for these 
volunteers. Consequently each nobleman was obliged 
to arm his people with a more simple weapon; and the 
pike was chosen as the most efficient of the kind. 
Their uniform was a grey caftan, made in the national 
fashion, with loose trowsers of the same, and a cap of 
a similar colour and taste. On the front of the cap was 
a brazen cross, surmounting an imperial crown over 
the letter A. They wore a crimson sash round their 
waists, in which was stuck a hatchet; a weapon which 
is so constantly seen with every Russian peasant that 
it seems a part of themselves; and they use it with a 



53 

dexterity and power that, in description, would ap- 
pear incredible. 

I am thus particular in describing the peculiar ha- 
bits of these people, because I wish to give an exact 
picture of a race to whom Russia and Europe owe so 
much. Like the militia of Great Britain, which is its 
grand reserve of military strength, these Russian 
volunteers may be considered to have been the ex- 
haustless resource of the regular Imperial troops. 
Reinforcements from their body, constantly supplied 
the casual deficiencies of the main army. It was they 
who at Polotzk, Smolensk, and Borodino, stood, as if 
they had been legions of iron, not to be penetrated; 
and when the veterans fell, they, like the teeth of Ja- 
son's dragon, presented themselves a renovated band 
of heroes not to be subdued. 

The whole empire seemed to rise at once; and, 
with one animating sentiment, turned its gigantic 
force against the enemy. The brave Sovereign of 
these brave people, had already pledged himself 
" never to sheath his sword, while one of the foe re- 
mained within the limits of the empire!" and his sub- 
jects, from the prince to the peasant, came nobly 
forward with their arms and their fortunes, to seal, if 
need be, the glorious resolution with their blood. 



54 



While these vast preparations were in progress, the 
first and second armies continued daily to approach 
each other. Barclay de Tolly's force broke up from 
the entrenched camp on the 19th of July; and, after 
rapid marches through Polotzk and Vitepsk, (there 
passing the Dwina), he took a position in front of the 
latter city. 

This was effected on the 24th of the month, leaving 
Count Vigtenstein, with an independent command, 
(who had previously been reinforced by some bat- 
talions from the reserve), to occupy the ground be- 
tween Sebeche and Drissa, in order to cover the city of 
Pskoff, which leads directly to St. Petersburgh, and 
to keep in check the divisions of Oudinot and Mac- 
donald. 

Barclay de Tolly was well assured that the enemy 
would not lose an instant in pushing on to Smolensk, 
that he might effectually destroy any hopes of Prince 
Bragation coming up with the main army. Indeed 
great doubt prevailed of this momentous junction 
taking place without yet many preventions, as no in- 
telligence had been received from that General for a 
considerable time. Under such uncertainty it became 
the duty of the Commander-in-chief to act with pecu- 
liar caution and promptitude. His determinations in 
this state of affairs, were founded on his confidence 
in the military abilities of Bragation; which, he hoped, 
would at last conquer the difficulties of a forced 



55 

march, over so vast a track of country, infested by an 
active and formidable enemy. To impede the already 
so rapid advance of that enemy, and give more time 
for the brave Prince to effect the re-union, the only 
thing that could now be done, was to make immediate 
demonstrations for a general battle. 

In order to decide advantageously upon the move- 
ments towards this point, reconnoitring parties were 
despatched on all sidesj and one of them discovered 
patrolesof the enemy, on the road leading toBeschen- 
kovitch. No time was lost in sending Count Oster- 
man 'I'olstoy, with the troops under his command, to 
advance in that direction. General Dochtoroff had 
previously been left on the right bank of the Dwina, 
to observe the French on the opposite shore; and with 
orders, should he perceive their troops preparing to 
go forward, to retard them by every means in his 
power, while he must maintain a situation that would 
ensure his return to the main army at Vitepsk, when- 
ever the re-union might be deemed necessary. 

Count Osterman commenced his march by day- 
break on the 25th of July. His advance was formed 
of several squadrons of the imperial hussars of the 
guards. Having passed Ostrovna, at the distance of 
three wersts from that town, they fell in with a strong 
body of the enemy, consisting totally of cavalry. They 
attacked it with vigour, and were met by a resistance 
proportionate to the magnitude of its force. However, 
the resolution and eager valour of the Russians pre- 



56 

vailed, and the French, giving ground, retired with 
precipitation. 

The error, which has so often been committed and 
deplored by victorious armies, of following up without 
caution the hour of success, was now exhibited in the 
impetuosity of the Russians, who, pursuing the flying 
enemy with a headlong ardour, came suddenly upon 
a formidable mass of the enemy's cavalry; and they 
attacking in their turn, and at a great advantage, the 
now detached corps of the triumphant Russians, drove 
them back, with loss, quite to the head of their own 
infantry. 

This affair impeded the advance of Osterman, who 
halted to take a position that might check the conse- 
quences of this minor defeat. 

Beauharnois pressed forward to improve the advan- 
tage gained, and before dawn next morning, the Rus- 
sian piquets were driven in. The French followed up 
their success, by advancing in three heavy columns, 
covered by immense bodies of cavalry led on by 
Murat. 

The right of the Russian troops was posted upon 
the Dwina. Their centre crossed the great road 
leading to Vitepskj and their left was covered by a 
wood in which were stationed a considerable quantity 
of artillery and infantry. 

The right of the enemy, supported by a strong body 
of dragoons, began the attack on this part of the Rus- 
sian position, and attempted, with unwearied perse- 
verance, to get possession of the wood. They were 



57 

frustrated in every effort by the M^ell-directed fire of 
the guns, and that of the light troops. The other two 
columns were equally unsuccessful on the centre and 
on the right; and, after a terrible carnage maintained 
on both sides, the continued superiority of numbers 
(constantly renewed) on the part of the French, not 
even shaking the steady line of the Russians; the for- 
mer, at last relinquishing a contest which had been 
sustained so determinately for many hours, left the 
Russians in possession of the disputed field. The 
loss on the part of the French was from three to four 
thousand; killed and wounded; and that of the Rus- 
sians fell not far short of the same number. 

Notwithstanding the enemy having yielded ground 
in this aifair, Count Osterman saw the advantage of 
re-uniting himself with the main army. But, before 
he took this step, he detached in front Lieutenant 
General Konovnitzen with a force sufficient to keep 
the French, a short time at least, at their present dis- 
tance, that the Commander-in-chief might not lose, 
by a hasty rencontre, the advantage of receiving in- 
formation, and of adequately preparing for a grand 
conflict with an enemy who, though formidable, had 
already so sharply experienced the metal of the Rus- 
sian sword. 

The officer intrusted with this post of honour, 
maintained it so effectually, that, although the whole 
of the day of the 27th of July was passed in repelling 
frequent and vigorous attacks from the French, he 
yet could not be forced to recede one single foot of 

H 



58 

ground. On the same spot where Osterman Tolstoy- 
had stationed them, there did Konovnitzen and his 
brave litde band remain, a breast- work of the most 
impregnable fabric, between the main army and its 
enemies, until the summons of the Commander-in- 
chief called them off during the night, to fall in with 
the grand line he was forming to meet, what he now 
deemed inevitable, a general battle. The corps of 
General Dochtoroff also, returned according to orders, 
but not until he had defeated a detachment of the 
enemy which had crossed the Dwina, killing the aide- 
de-camp of Beauharnois, and taking several prisoners. 

Whilst every preparation was making to stand the 
event of a great attack from the French, and every 
heart in the Russian army beat with eagerness for the 
moment to charge, Barclay de Tolly received a dis- 
patch from Prince Bragation. It informed his Excel- 
lency that the Prince, finding Mohiloff powerfully 
occupied by the enemy, had altered his course, and 
meant to proceed, by the way of Mastisloif, to Smo- 
lensk. General PlatofF had arrived within two marches 
of this city. 

The effect of this intelligence was, to change the 
determination of the commander-in-chief with regard 
to giving immediate battle; and, instead of remaining 
in the environs of Vitcpsk, he resolved on approach- 
ing Smolensk, and there draw out his line against the 
enemy. He dispatched a courier to Bragation with 
these dispositions, and another to Platoff, command- 
ing him to place himself before Smolensk, in order 



59 

to cover the march of the first army from the probable 
molestation of Davoust's division, which must now 
have nearly reached that town. 

The Commander-in-chief's present plan began by 
forming his army into three columns: the second and 
third moving upon Porechia; the first, covering their 
march, by bearing upon Leznia and Roudnia. The 
command of the troops, which were to protect this 
general movement, was given to Count Palhen; who, 
very judiciously, placed his detachments along the 
banks of the Loutchessa, a small river in front of the 
main army, which occupied the plain before Vitepsk. 

As was expected, the enemy advanced, and attacked 
this covering force; but Count Palhen foiled him in 
all his attempts to pass the river. The Russian light 
artillery did great execution amongst their adversa- 
ries; and the Count, directing every motion of his 
troops, seemed to be in every part of the field at once. 
His presence of mind and active bravery, gave time 
to the several divisions of the main body to move 
forward in perfect security. This accomplished, he 
threw himself into the great road, by the way of Aga- 
ponovchina, where he erected so efficient a battery at 
the entrance of the town, that its fire destroyed, in 
succession^ upwards of five entire squadrons of French 
cavalry which attempted to follow him. This shower 
of balls beat so heavily in the faces of all who dared 
to pursue the dangerous steps of their comrades, that 
the chace was abandoned, and the dauntless PalheKk 



60 

completed the remainder of his march without tiit 
sound of a bullet. 

The Commander-in-chief, on the arrival of the three 
columns at their destined points, detached General 
Baron Vinzingorode, with a strong body, to Weliche, 
and gave orders for General KrosnofF to retire from 
Porechia, and concentrate his force near Roudnia. 

Having thus secured his right flank, the main of 
the army advanced towards a village called Volokva, 
resting its right on the lake Kasplen, while its front 
was protected by the small river Vodra. Its left ex- 
tended to Novoseltzi. In this position the whole were 
to remain until the second army should form its junc- 
tion. 

From the reports of Baron Vinzingorode, the Gom- 
mander-in-chief was informed that the great force of 
the French had entered Vitepsk, where they were 
making dispositions for a stay of some time, only 
sending out strong detachments of cavalry to forage 
and terrify the inhabitants of the adjacent country 
from Veliche and Nevel, and on the road to Roudnia. 
It now became evident that, even so early as this, 
Napoleon found the demands of the campaign, both 
with regard to resources and animal strength, beyond 
the expectations and the power of his men. Although 
his bulletins vaunt of the numerous magazines which 
fell into his possession during this rapid march, the 
situation of his troops could not but contradict these 
assertions. Their privations and consequent exhaus- 
tion, compelled that truth to appear in fact, which he 



61 

denied in language; and we find this army, whose 
unfailing spirits, unabated vigour, and repletion in 
every necessary, were so largely the theme of his 
boast, reduced to the alternative of sacrificing, to rest, 
a part of that time so essencial to the final success of 
the invasion. 

The harassed troops halted ten days; and, that the 
delay might not excite doubts in France of their 
health and triumphant hopes, their leader represents 
in his reports, not that his men needed renovation 
from wants and extraordinary fatigues, but that the 
heat of the season made a temporary retirement into 
quarters necessary! This excuse to cover the hard- 
ships into which his ambition had led the army of 
infatuated France, and the best troops of so many 
abused countries, seems almost too flimsy for the 
blindest partiality not to penetrate. Who could be 
made to believe seriously that a halt of nearly a fort- 
night was indispensable to preserve from the excessive 
heat of a northern summer, a soldiery who, not only 
were in full possession of unfailing spirits^ unabated 
vigour^ and every necessary^ but who must have pre- 
viously been inured to excessive heat, under the al- 
most unceasing burning suns of southern climates? 

During this halt of the enemy, and while Barclay 
de Tolly was awaiting the arrival of Bragation, the 
corps of Vigtenstein actively employed themselves in 
the neighbourhood of Polotzk. That general, having 
been assured by a courier from the Commander-in- 
chief of the certain prospect of the first and second 



62 

army's re-union, in order to keep the attention of the 
enemy as much as possible from the point of this 
anticipated junction, continued to harass their troops 
in every direction. He had never left his position near 
Drissa, and from that advantageous ground made con- 
siderable impression on the enemy, taking many pri- 
soners, and forcing Napoleon to send reinforcements 
to his troops in that quarter. 

Macdonald still kept in the vicinity of Dinaburg, 
where he was narrowly watched by a detachment from 
the Russian main army, under Colonel Bediaga. This 
active officer gave information to the Commander-in- 
chief that the French General had passed the Dwina 
at Yacobstadt, and, after leaving a force at Dinaburg, 
was marching to Loutzen with the hope of joining 
Oudinot, and by that measure cutting off all commu- 
nication between the imperial armies and St. Peters- 
burgh. 

Vigtenstein was detached to prevent this danger- 
ous junction. On the evening of the eleventh of Au- 
gust, he fell in with a part of Oudinot's cavalry near 
Kochanova; he drove them back, but found them so 
strongly supported, as to deem it prudent to make 
arrangements for the recommencement of the contest 
next day. By the account of a prisoner he had taken, 
he learnt that it was not only the intention of Oudinot 
to cut off the communication with St. Petersburgh, 
but to march thither and take possession of it in the 
name of Napoleon, while that usurper would proceed 



63 

in person to Moscow, and place himself in the ancient 
throne of the Tzars. 

This plan was so entirely the offspring of Napo- 
leon's own mind; so completely did it spring, armed 
cap-a-pee, from the head of its projector, that he 
deemed it not less the decree of fate, than if his own 
brows had been those of Jove, to stamp with their 
awful nod the seal of destiny. Napoleon and his For- 
tunes^ carried a divine power with them as victorious 
as those of Caesar! at least so he believed; and plant- 
ing these fortunes on a system of universal falsehood, 
he doubted not but his arms, potent as they were, 
would not have more agency in giving the empire 
into his hands, than the intrigue and sophistry with 
which he sought to persuade the people that he came 
to rescue them from obedience to their Emperor and 
Lords. He told them they were slaves, and he came 
to make them free! Such was the freedom with which 
the Devil in Paradise endowed the human race. The 
exchange was between the yoke of virtue and that of 
vice. Whether they obey the laws of a sovereign emi- 
nent for every amiable and heroic quality, or a tyrant 
who knows no law, human or divine, but his own ca- 
pricious and imperious will. The Russian race were 
too clear sighted to hesitate in their choice. Their in- 
terest, as well as their affection for their Emperor, 
nerved every arm, and with the cry in their hearts of 
*' God and the laws of our ancestors!" they prepared 
to show Napoleon that a whole people, unanimous in 



64 

defence of their birthrights, may be extirpated, but 
never can be subdued. 

The military talents of Vigtenstein, as well as the 
determination of his troops, stood too firmly in the 
way of Oudinot, for him to accomplish the St. Peters- 
burgh part of his master's design. His advanced 
corps being driven in by the Russians on the ele- 
venth, he had the mortification of seeing their General 
augment his numbers by drawing troops from Osvia, 
and then proceed in a formidable position from Ko- 
clianova, defeating in his path every enemy which 
dared oppose his progress. Thus enforcing respect to 
the Russian arms, he moved on to Valensouti, which 
town he strengthened with a competent detachment 
of men. 

Oudinot, finding he could make no impression on 
the Osvia road, ordered his army to concentrate itself 
near Polotzk, and form an union with some new 
troops of Wirtemburghers and Bavarians, which had 
just arrived under the command of Gouvion St. Cyr. 
When thus reinforced he determined to again press 
on towards his grand object, and do it by the way of 
Kliastitzy and Sebeche. His resolution strengthened 
with his augmented forces, and sanguine of the event, 
he commenced the movements which he hoped would 
certainly lead him to the gates of St. Petersburgh. 

Vigtenstein, whose penetrating mind seemed mas- 
ter of all the enemy's counsels, was aware of Oudinot's 
designs, aud made dispositions against them almost 
as soon as they were conceived. He lost no time in 



moving towards Yacobova, to which place the enemy 
had advanced, and where he found them so well ap- 
prised of his motions as to be drawn up in line of 
battle. The Russians were in no way dismayed at 
this formidable front, or at its supporting back-ground, 
a heavy battery; but impelled by that resistless cou- 
rage which, like the lightning, pierces the most com- 
pact bodies, they rushed upon the enemy, bore down 
the whole of his left, and then pressing with equal 
vehemence upon the centre, after a resistance on its 
part of more than six hours, compelled it to give way 
under the unremitted storm of their valour; and, shel- 
tered by the darkness which had closed upon the 
combatants, the discomfited French fell back towards 
Kliastitzy. 

Vigtenstein remembered well the pledge of his 
Emperor, " not to sheath his sword while one of the 
enemy remained within the limits of the Russian em- 
pire!" and in the same spirit, he followed up the suc^ 
cess of his first encounter with Oudinot. Next day 
he attacked him again. The French General had made 
good dispositions of his troops during the few hours 
of night, and received the assault with firmness. He 
had chosen his ground well; and obstinately, though 
with great loss, maintained the fight till midnight. It 
was not until the third day, that Vigtenstein entirely 
overthrew his resolute enemy, and in that act covered 
himself and his soldiers with immortal glory. The 
greater part of the army of Oudinot was now destroyed, 

T 



66 

and the remnant was flying in blood and confusion 
towards the French lines under the walls of Polotzk. 
In his report, Count Vigtenstein speaks of the af- 
fair in these terms: — 

" During the three days of attack, the corps I have 
the honour to command performed prodigies of va- 
lour. Their resolution was not to be shaken, and their 
ardour, like a devouring flanrie, consumed all before 
them. The particular acts of their dauntless and per- 
severing heroism I can neither describe nor sufficient- 
ly praise. The artillery and the bayonet were equally 
the instruments of their zeal; for where the one fell 
short of the mark, the other was pushed forward with 
a resolution that overthrew whole ranks of the enemy. 
Even the most solid columns of the infantry, and 
batteries of cannon, wer& compelled to give way to 
the intrepid motions of our tvoops." 

Indeed it appeared as if they knew no other move- 
ment, when an enemy was in their p^th, but to go 
forward, and make a passage for themselves through 
the hearts of the hostile ranks. 

The whole country, from Yacobova to Biala, was 
strewn with the bodies of the vanquished, to the num- 
ber of five thousand; and upwards of three thousand 
prisoners were taken in the field, besides stragglers 
brought in from having taken refuge in the woods. 
Two pieces of artillery, and the whole of the waggons 
of ammunition, also became the spoil of the Russians. 



Their loss did not amount to more than two thou- 
sand men, and the only officer of note that fell, was 
General KoulnefF. 

Having so far crippled one member of their giant 
enemy, Vigtenstein was making dispositions to attack 
another in the person of Macdonald; but, learning that 
that general had assumed a retrogade motion, he pre- 
ferred keeping in front of the French lines at Polotzk, 
(which still held an advancing position) to following 
the steps of an enemy on his retreat. 

While the campaign in this quarter was prosecuted 
with so much vigour, General Essen remained in his 
camp in the neighbourhood of Riga. It might be 
called a post of observation only, for nothing more 
was done there, as the lassitude of the Prussian auxi- 
liaries gave no higher tone to the contest. 



Prince Bragation continued to pursue his peril- 
ous march with an indefatigable spirit that support- 
ed the courage of his men through every hardship, 
and taught them, by his example, that the least part 
of a soldier's bravery is that which is evinced in the 
field of battle. The proof of a thorough soldier, the 
true military hero, is found in the toilsome and length- 
ened march, the ceaseless midnight watch, the endur- 
ance of cold and heat, the privation of food and rest; 



68 

and all to be borne, not only without a murmur, but 
with a soul resolved to suffer — to proceed— to con- 
quer — or to die! 

With such a resolution, Bragation and his brave 
troops pressed on, crossing the river Berezina at Bo- 
broiisk; and, proceeding to Novi-Bikoff, kept on the 
right bank of the Dneiper, with the hope of reaching 
Mohiloff without falling in with the enemy. That 
point once gained, his junction with the first army 
might be effected without any farther anxiety. 

General Reifsky, who commanded a part of the 
Princess advanced guard, arrived at Dashkova on the 
21st, and on the morning of the 22d he pushed forvi^ard 
on the road to Mohiloff. Here he was surprised by 
the sudden appearance of an immense body of French 
chasseurs, who drew themselves up to stop his pro- 
gress. He halted not a moment, he had but one path, 
and he took it; he charged through them, and dis- 
persing them to the right and left, and driving them 
beyond Novoleski, made a great slaughter, and took 
upwards of one hundred and fifty prisoners. From 
these men he learnt that their discomfited corps was 
the advance of the division of the grand army, given 
to the commands of Marshals Davoust and Mortier, 
who then occupied Mohiloff and its neighbourhood. 

Reifsky dispatched this information to Bragation. 
That Prince thought the best measure, under these 
circumstances, would be to open to himself a nearer 
road to Barclay de Tolly, by attacking the enemy. 
Great as the effort must prove to bring to immediate 



69 

battle troops so fatigued as his were, yet the dangers 
of a beset and procrastinated march appeared to him 
so much more formidable, that he did not hesitate, 
between the opinions, and decided for the field. 

Accordingly he formed hi line into two columnsj 
one he placed on the right, to stretch along the great 
road; and the other on the left, was to skirt a wood, 
and, by crossing a deep ravine, endeavour to come in. 
on the enemy's right, and force him to leave open the 
direct communication with MohilofF. In conformity 
to these orders, the troops passed Novoliski, and ad- 
vanced upon a small village situated on a wet ravine^ 
Here the enemy had posted himself in great force. 

A corps of his infantry occupied a bridge that 
crossed this hollow, and was supported by a larger 
detachment, with several pieces of artillery on its 
right and left. At the head of this bridge was a large 
mill, besides other buildings, which the French im= 
mediately occupied with a force they deemed suffi- 
cient to check, with their musquetry, the approach of 
the Russians. 

The Russians advanced, and began the attack. It 
was supported by the French with an impetuous fire 
that made the contest at this juncture very hot. They 
pressed in redoubled numbers upon the assailants, 
but the head of the Russian column met them with a 
persevering resolution that drove them, at the point 
of the bayonet, back upon the bridge. The mill and 
the adjoining houses were carried, and those who had 
garrisoned them put to the sword. Twelve pieces of 



70 

cannon were placed, by the order of Bragation, upon 
a commanding spot near the mill, and instantly open- 
ing upon the enemy, who attempted to come to the 
relief of his troops on the bridge, made a great slaugh- 
ter. This cannonade, and the active valour of the 
Russians, which pressed the enemy in every quarter, 
at last prevailed, and drove him, not only from the 
bridge, but from his post on the opposite bank. 

Marshal Davoust finding himself thus forced, and 
even his cannon seized, feared the effect of this day's 
battle on his master's cause. He saw how far the un- 
shaken determination of Bragation had brought the 
second army on its way to join the imperial standard. 
He felt the power of that Prince's arm, when brought 
to action, and the victory which had now crowned 
him, filled Davoust with apprehension that Bragation, 
(unless stopped by extraordinary exertions), would 
march to the point of re-union over the dead bodies 
of every Frenchman in the field. To check an ad- 
vance, so destructive of Napoleon's designs, and to 
frustrate the hopes of a Prince whose intrepid steps 
had ever pressed forward from victory to victory, he 
dispatched immediate orders for an immense reinforce- 
ment to join him from the reserve. 

The Russians, aware of their adversary's intentions, 
formed themselves under the protection of their guns. 
Their disposition was good, and their resolution 
strong; but the career of the enemy's cavalry came on 
with such an overwhelming force, and the infantry 
advanced in so consolidated a body, that they bore 



71 

along before them the comparatively small corps of 
the Russians, as the influx of the sea would contend 
with and drive back upon its bed the stream of a 
river. 

The Russians, tracking their retrograde steps with 
their blood, found themselves obliged to relinquish 
their position, and to abandon the guns they had just 
taken. But they kept the ground which had been first 
disputed, and by a heavy and well-directed fire from 
their artillery, prevented the enemy's regaining the 
head of the bridge. 

Marshal Davoust seeing the impossibility of mak- 
ing the impression he wished, while his adversary 
was supported by so efficient a battery, directed a 
column of infantry to pass the ravine higher up to the 
right, and, by coming in upon Bragation's left, seize 
the artillery at the point of the bayonet. While this 
was transacting, the Marshal intended to take the 
Prince in his confusion, and push across the bridge. 

The French division moved upon the ravine, but, 
unexpectedly to itself, fell in with the forces which 
Bragation had ordered to skirt the wood and keep the 
hollow way. Soon after reaching its opposite side, 
the enemy being thus surprised, was driven back 
with great loss; but arriving at a very strong line of 
his troops, he there made a stand. The conflict now 
became tremendous on both sides; the Russians fought 
with so fearless an intrepidity, that one might have 
thought they deemed themselves invulnerable, and 



72 

the French continued pouring in their numbers as if 
they were infinite. 

The Prince found that his troops on the left were 
possessed of the opposite bank, but seeing the proba- 
bility of their being overpowered, if he should fail in 
driving back the enemy, he made so vigorous a charge, 
that for one moment the vast body before him seemed 
shook to its centre, but in the next, its overwhelming 
ranks rushed forward, and their wide extent fast clos- 
ing around him, he saw no other resource but to fall 
back. To this end he called off his left column, which 
was maintaining its ground with the most brilliant 
acts of bravery, and, ordering a retrograde movement 
along all his lines, drew off his artillery, and covered 
his motions with his light troops and cavalry. The 
latter, from the nature of the ground, during the con- 
test had never been brought into action. 

This hard struggle had lasted ten hours. The Prince 
marched in good order to Stary Bickoff, there cross- 
ing the Dneiper, whilst Platoff advanced with all ra- 
pidity, to gain the road leading from Mohiloff to 
Mastilow. His object was to prevent Davoust from 
incommoding his left on this route. 

The loss of the Russians on this day was not less 
than three thousand killed and wounded, and that of 
the enemy might be between three or four thousand, 
with about five hundred prisoners who were taken 
early in the contest. 

Bragation now proceeded without molestation. On 
the 6th of August he reached the Dneiper at Katane, 



73 

where he passed it, and, taking up a position at Nadva, 
thus formed the left of the great army. In his way, 
he had left detachments at Krasnoy, under the com- 
mand of General Neverofsky, to intercept the enemy, 
in case he should push on to Smolensk by that road. 

PlatofF had, some time before, crossed to the right 
bank of the Boristhenes and joined the covering army 
of Count Palhen on the Lubavitch and Inkovo roads. 
The former, with his usual activity, never allowing 
any occasion to pass of annoying the enemy, disco- 
vered a French force in the vicinity of his new quar- 
ters, which he attacked and defeated, taking upwards 
of five hundred prisoners, and leaving dead on the 
field a number not inferior. It proved to be a party 
of Murat's corps, commanded by General Sebastiani, 
and stationed at Inkovo. The Russian General speaks 
of this affair, in his reports, with little emphasis; he 
merely notes it as an advantage en train; but from the 
discomfited enemy's account, we find that it was a 
matter of more consequence; he acknowledges that 
it forced him to retreat a whole day, and that, besides 
a loss at once, in prisoners, of half a battalion, above 
twelve hundred fell, killed and wounded, in the field, 
Platoff's loss did not amount, in all, to three hun^ 
dred. 

It had been the first intention of the Commander- 
in-chief, Barclay de Tolly, that the first and second 
armies, after their junction, should occupy the coun- 
try on the right bank of the river; but the enemy 
having moved several of his corps towards Teolino^ 

K 



and others being in the act of passing the river at 
Dubrovna in their way to Laidy, it became necessary 
for the Russians to make an opposing movement. 

Accordingly, the second army was ordered to re- 
pass the Dneiper, which it did on the 10th without a 
moment's delay, at Katane. 

Bragation then leaned his right upon that river, 
stretching across the main road, and occupying Bol- 
kovo, Lukerchino, and Abrazivo. He also sent rein- 
forcements to his advance at Krasnoy and its neigh- 
bourhood. In this position he hoped to repose his 
wearied troops for at least a few hours. His late 
march had been long, anxious, and harassing. War 
had followed, surrounded, and met him: through all 
this he had persisted in his progress, and, necessarily 
fighting his way in many actions with the enemy, his 
troops, now come to the point of junction, needed 
and expected a little time in which to recruit their 
exhausted strength. His army had suffered materially 
in many respects. It now amounted to no more than 
five-and-thirty thousand menj a great reduction from 
its numbers at the commencement of the campaign. 

In the first place, a detachment of eight thousand 
men, finding their station untenable, and the impossi- 
bility of rejoining their main body under Bragation, 
were forced to attach themselves to the division of 
General Tormazoff. To subtract still more from the 
Prince's marching strength, a disaffection prevailed 
amongst the Poles under his command, and at various 
times and opportunities, more than ten thousand of 



75 

these men deserted the Russian standard. Then the 
loss in killed, wounded, and casualties, was by no 
means inconsiderable; and, in consequence of all these 
circumstances, notwithstanding his care, his courage, 
and his prudence, the Prince could not bring up more 
than half of his original army to the banks of the 
Dneiper. 

This force, and Barclay de Tolly's together, did 
not present an army of more than one hundred and 
thirty thousand men, to oppose the countless legions 
of the French now in their front, and who were head- 
ed by Napoleon himself. The French leader had re- 
freshed his troops by a long rest, and exulting in their 
vast superiority of numbers, and the promises of his 
own ambition, he seemed preparing for an immediate 
victory. 

His head quarters were still at Vitepsk, where was 
also planted a very strong reserve. The other divi- 
sions occupied the following places: 

On his left was Beauharnois, stationed at Sourache. 
His advance was at Vetiche, Poryatchi, and Osveath, 

Marshal Ney was at Leuzna. 

Murat's corps of cavalry, light artillery, &c. were 
in advance at Nicolino, Rudnia, and Inkovo. 

Davoust and Mortier were on the left bank of the 
Dneiper, at Dubrova. 

Prince Poniatofsky had orders to move from his 
post at MohilofF, and remain at Romanoff to strengtlien 
Davoust. 

Thus stood the two opposing armies on the ele= 
vcnth of August, 



76 



During these respective movements, the Emperor 
Alexander's attention was engaged in providing rein- 
forcements from his own empire to support its arma- 
ment, and in strengthening its position by treaties of 
peace and alliance. Turkey signed its deed of pacifi- 
cation, notwithstanding the Machiavellian exertions 
of the French to prevent it; and, in spite of every in- 
trigue from the same quarter, the re-union with Eng- 
land was proclaimed. 

The happy conclusion of the tedious, but to Russia, 
glorious war with the Ottoman, was received by 
Alexander at the close of the month of July, and the 
respective bonds of amity were exchanged at Buche- 
rest. The country was not more indebted for the ac- 
celeration of this event, to the arms than to the wis- 
dom of General Count Koutousoff, the successful 
commander of the army of the Danube. The emperor 
shewed the estimation in which such services should 
be held, by conferring on him the title of Prince of 
the Russian empire. This venerable hero, full of age 
and of glory, having so honourable terminated the 
Turkish war, and feeling that nature required reno- 
vation after the fatigues of so many arduous cam- 
paigns, quitted the cares of a camp, and retired to 
St. Petersburgh, there to repose in the bosom of his 
family, and to enjoy with virtuous satisfaction the 
gratitude and the congratulations of his countrymen. 

On this illustrious veteran's resignation, the army 



77 

of the Danube devolved on Admiral Tchichagoff. 
He had been deputed by the Emperor to assist in the 
negociation for peace with Turkey, and that point 
being gained, when KoutousofF retired, his Imperial 
Majesty commissioned the gallant Admiral to fill that 
General's military station. It may seem extraordinary 
that a seaman should be placed in so eminent a post 
in the land service. But the comprehensive talents of 
Tchichagoff, the wide grasp of his abilities and ac- 
quirements in all that relates to the art of war, whe- 
ther on the ocean or in the field; and his known pre- 
sence of mind and activity in situations of difficulty, 
were sufficient to justify to the whole empire the 
choice of the Emperor in this respect. 

Tchichagoff had scarcely been in possession of his 
new duties, when circumstances called upon him to 
put to the proof his talents for a command so totally 
different from any he had hitherto held; and to accom- 
plish which requires the most perfect military skill, 
viz. a long march, and all the various movements of 
armies. He received orders to lose no time in bring- 
ing his troops up from the banks of the Danube and 
the Prout, to those of the Boug. 

The enemy had a strong corps on the Boug, chiefly 
composed of Austrians under Prince Swartzenberg, 
and Saxons under Renier; the whole, probably, 
amounting to forty thousand men. The Austrians 
having passed the river in the vicinity of Droggitchin, 
advanced to Proujany and Pinsk, and moving thence 
through SlQutz, by slow marches approached Minsk. 



78 

Renier and his Saxons, on the retreat of Bragation, 
moved on to Slonim, and occupied that town, and 
also Proujany and Kobrine. 

It has already been mentioned that a body of troops, 
amomiting to eight thousand men, under the com- 
mand of General Kamenskoy, had been cut off from 
the second army, and that the General, seeing no 
alternative, determined on making an attempt to join 
the troops of Tormozoff, who, he judged, must then 
be at Loutzk. Being aware that every moment, in 
the prosecution of this enterprize, was of inestimable 
value, and finding that the enemy were in possession 
of the whole of the country on his left, he saw the 
probability of their pushing forward to block up the 
ground between Brest-LitofF and Kobrine. This would 
completely ruin his project. And not to give them 
time for such a movement, he advanced with all the 
rapidity in his power, and to his glad surprise, on 
approaching Kobrine on the 26th of July, fell in with 
a small detachment from the army of observation, 
under Count de Lambert. This fortunate junction not 
only placed him in security, but enabled him and his 
new colleague to form a plan of advancing together^ 
and of driving the enemy from Kobrine. 

Their reconnoitering parties, as well as the pea- 
santry, brought them information that the town was 
occupied by the advanced guard of the Saxons, but 
in no very great force, under the command of General 
Klingel. 

When the Russian forces drew near the enemy's 



79 

quarters, they observed the negligence of the Saxons 
in guarding the town, in short they seemed in the 
most perfect security against the idea of any attack. 
Kamenskoy instantly issued orders that the whole of 
the troops should cross the small river Monyavitz, 
and that the assault should be made in three different 
points. The command was no sooner given, than 
obeyed. 

The attack began by the Russians charging the de- 
tachment on the bridge, and making them prisoners. 
This post was about a werst from the city. Having 
gained this advantage without opposition, the little 
army advanced. One division, of four thousand men, 
proceeded on the high road, directly to the town, 
where it met with, and drove back a party of the 
enemy, who by this time had taken alarm. The rest 
of the Russian troops moved to the right and left, 
coming in upon the great roads leading towards 
Brest-Lotoffsky and Pinzk. The enemy was now 
assaulted at all points, and being thus hemmed in so 
unexpectedly, a most desperate and sanguinary con- 
flict ensued, which lasted nine hours. The various acts 
of extraordinary bravery displayed on both sides, pro- 
duced a terrible carnage, the horrors of which became 
more conspicuous from the narrowness of the ground 
on which the combatants contended. 

General Klingel, seeing the greater part of his 
forces either killed or wounded, and his best officers 
falling around him, determined to save the rest by an 
immediate surrender to the victors. 



80 

Thus was the day won. And the fruits of it to the 
Russians were eight pieces of cannon, with four stan- 
dards; and the commander of the Saxon division, with 
seventy officers, and two thousand five hundred men, 
taken prisoners. The enemy had more than a thou- 
sand killed and wounded. The Russian troops also 
suffered, but not so severely, losing only three or four 
hundred men, including one colonel and ten officers. 

Not many days after the achievement of this bril- 
liant affair. Major General Tchaplitz entered Kobrine 
at the head of a considerable corps; beint^ the advance 
of the main body under Tormozoff. He had been 
apprized of the Austriarjs having moved towards 
Minzk; and determining to attack the corps of Saxons 
left to occupy the country they had quitted, he direct- 
ed his march to Kobrine: and there found his inten- 
tions had been most advantageously prevented by the 
execution of the same plan, by the brave Kamenskoy 
and de Lambert. To pursue this success, he ordered 
Tchaplitz to hasten his march, and in conjunction 
with the two victorious generals, proceed upon Slo- 
nim. Tormozoff would then follow with the remain- 
der as quickly as possible. 

According to these orders, the united divisions put 
themselves in motion; and advanced, without moles- 
tation, to within a few wersts of the city, where they 
discovered the enemy in great strength. 

Renier, on being acquainted with the discomfiture 
of General Klingel, dispatched a courier to Prince 
Swartzenbergj directing him instantly to measure 



81 

back his steps; that a sufficient force might be collect- 
ed to oppose the successf^;! Russians. The re- union 
being made, the army put itself in motion; and falling 
upon the Russian advance, compelled it to take a 
backward direction. 

Meanwhile, General Tormozoff had proceeded as he 
intended, and taken up a position on a line of heights 
between Kobrine and Proujany. In his front, and on 
his right, he had a deep morass apparently impassable. 
At the edge of it was situated the village of Goro- 
ditzka; from which projected a long dyke that led to 
the foot of the Russian position. His left stretched 
towards the little town of Podubrie, being strengthen- 
ed by nearly thirty pieces of cannon. These artillery 
at the same time commanded this approach, and ano- 
ther of a similar nature, which, crossing the morass 
near Podubrie, ran into a defile leading to the road 
which communicated with that of Kobrine. Thus 
protected, Tormozoff judged himself so advantage- 
ously situated as to be enabled to destroy the greater 
part of the enemy, should they attempt to attack him 
by these avenues. In order to give more security to his 
left, and to act as a reserve in case of necessity, he 
posted, at some distance in his rear, several battalions 
of infantry, a large body of cavalry, and most of his 
light artillery. 

Having made these commanding dispositions, he 
did not see occasion to occupy the town of Podubrie^ 
which was situated at some distance on the opposite 
defile; neither did he place any forces in a wood, 

L 



82 

which was a little in its rear, and stretching along the 
back of the high road leading to Kobrine, occupied a 
considerable portion of ground. He supposed that 
both places were sufficiently safe from any attempt of 
the enemy; as the commanding situation of the heights 
he filled, and the domineering station of his artillery, 
seemed to denounce destruction on even the most 
distant approach of a hostile force. 

The allied troops, at this point, were as determined 
as the Russians were resolute. They steadily took 
possession of the village of Goroditzka, and the 
mouths of the defiles leading to the dykes. Their 
right was commanded by Renier, and their left by 
Prince Swartzenberg. The former soon learnt from 
his reconnoitering parties that the Russian General 
had neglected to occupy Podubrie, as well as the 
wood covering the high road to Kobrine. Renier lost 
no time in profiting by this oversight; and taking pos= 
session of both, filled the former with cavalry, and 
the latter with formidable bodies of infantry and artil- 
lery. While these orders were obeying, he apprised 
Swartzenberg of the omission on the ♦part of the op- 
posing General, and begged instant reinforcements, 
to enable him to attack the Russian left, and drive it 
from its elevated position. The whole of the day of 
the eleventh of August was thus employed by the 
allied troops, in seizing the neglected advantages; and 
marching with the greatest caution towards the point 
which they deemed the most vulnerable on their ad- 
versary's side. 



83 

From the concentrated position of General Tormo- 
zofF, and his supposed security in that position, the 
enemy found little diificulty in making all his move- 
ments unobserved. He placed a strong force on the 
left of the Russians, destined to issue from the wood 
at different points, and to form on the intervening 
ground; whence they were to advance in firm battalion 
to put in execution the whole of their general's plan. 

Accordingly, at day-break, on the twelfth of the 
month, Tormozoff was astonished bythe information 
that the enemy was approaching from the wood on 
his left, and endeavouring to form on the low ground. 
The surprise was only that of a moment; for the 
Russian General immediately seized on the only 
means to remedy the consequences of his too great 
confidence in his position; and ordering a heavy bat- 
tery to open upon the collecting ranks of the allies, 
sent to his reserve to advance in rear of his left, afid 
present an intimidating front to the enemy. Even this 
he did not deem sufficient for the occasion, but he 
strengthened his line with troops from his right. 

These dispositions were prompt. A tremendous 
fire from the Russian guns, and their infantry, poured 
upon the heads of the allied forces; yet they stood all 
with firmness; formed, and advanced confidently to 
the attack, supported by light artillery and horse. 

Their courage met with as brave a reception, and 
the charges on both sides were sustained and renewed 
with the most unshaken obstinacy. Incalculable num- 
bers now appeared to issue from the wood in every 



direction; and notwithstanding the incessant cannonade 
from the Russian battery mowed down hundreds as 
they emerged from the trees, the survivors rushed on, 
dauntless, to the succour of the foremost legions, who 
were already falling beneath the bayonet and musketry 
of their opponents. The conflict, on this spot, was that 
of man to man; every heart as well as arm, seemed 
engaged in the contest, and to shed its last drop to 
purchase the victory. But reinforcements thronged in 
on the side of the French; they seemed endless: and 
the Russians, calling up a double portion of spirit to 
oppose so great a superiority in body, exerted them- 
selves to almost preternatural strength, to drive their 
adversaries back into the wood. They were received 
with as resolute a courage; and the combatants parted 
not on this spot, till both were mingled in wounds and 
death on the same earth. 

While General Renier thus determinately pursued 
his object, nothing doubting that it would finally lead 
him to the possession of the heii>hts; Prince Swart- 
zenberg, perceiving that the Russians directed their 
chief attention to the defence of their left, thought it 
well to distract their movements, by making an at- 
tempt to pass the morass. To this duty he detached a 
considerable body of infantry, but the project failed. 
The men sunk at every step, and became so entangled 
in the boggy ground as to be unable either to advance 
or return; and thus fell an easy prey to the well- 
directed fire of the Russian musketry. 



85 

Notwithstanding the disappointment of this rash 
measure, the hopes of the enemy were not in the least 
damped; he continued the most unintermitted endea- 
vours to turn the Russian left; and, by means of fresh 
troops, extended his own right far enough, he be- 
lieved, to outflank his adversary. In fact, nearly the 
whole of the allied forces had been successively 
brought up to this object. 

Finding that the enemy was thus powerfully ena- 
bled to continue the attack, the Russian General 
thought it prudent to change his front. To effect this, 
he called out several strong divisions to his support, 
from his right; and also brought up fresh cavalry and 
artillery, which he ordered to march on the left of the 
unbroken reserve; and present, by these manceuvres, 
a very extended flank. This menacing line he made 
yet more formidable, by strengthening it with every 
corps he could safely spare from his centre and his 
right. 

Renier, seeing that the Russian General was not 
backward in preparing means to counterbalance his 
augmented powers, redoubled his efforts to win the 
day at any sacrifice; and, if possible, the battle became 
more desperate and sanguinary. He attempted, at the 
point of the bayonet, to dislodge the Russians from 
the new position they had assumed, but in vain. A 
great part of the French artillery was dismounted by 
the retaliation of their enemy; and after many fruitless 
efforts of the allied troops to make an impression, they 
were forced back with a slaughter that was horrible. 



86 

The Russian cavalry, not failing to take advantage of 
this, charged them to the very skirts of the wood. 
The day began to close fast. Yet the losses of the 
enemy only seemed to add to the determination of 
their general. Renier again advanced with the remains 
of his discomfited troops; but he did not bring them 
alone. They were supported by six fresh battalions of 
infantry, and several regiments of Austrian hulans, 
hussars, and Saxon horse; and so efficient an acces- 
sion to his strength, filled him with confidence that 
before darkness should cover the dreadful events of 
the day, he should be able to overpower his conque- 
rors, and not merely drive, but precipitate them from 
the long- contested heights. Again the carnage was 
renewed. The Russian artillery seemed to rain fire 
upon the last effort of their still struggling enemy; and 
nothing but night separated the combatants. 

The allies took up their former position at Podu- 
brie: and General Tormozoff, having repulsed the 
enemy in so many attacks, decided upon retiring to 
Kobrine. To effect this before dawn, orders were 
issued to draw off the artillery, and to put the whole 
army into motion, leaving a strong detachment on the 
field to cover their movements, in case, when morning 
broke, the enemy should venture to renew hostilities. 
Tormozoff's measures were taken so well that his 
troops reached their place of destination within the 
time; and the rear guard joined them with the rising 
sun, without having met more annoyance from the 
allies than seeing their hovering squadrons at a dis- 



87 

tance. Renier no sooner perceived that Tormozoff had 
left the heights, than he made a show of following 
him; but from the severe proof he had already re- 
ceived of Russian resistance, he did not attempt any- 
thing serious to impede his advance. Tormozoff and 
his brave legions therefore arrived, without firing 
another musket, on the banks of the Machawitz. 
After passing over the bridge on that river, they de- 
stroyed it in spite of the exertions of the enemy, who, 
the moment he was aware of the Russian design, 
brought up a few pieces of artillery; but without 
effect, as Tormozoff saw his men proceed and accom- 
plish their work with determined coolness. 

The loss of the Russians on this memorable twelfth 
of August, amounted to four thousand killed and 
wounded; and that of the enemy under Renier and 
Prince Swartzenberg to upwards of five thousand 
men, besides three hundred that were taken prisoners. 
Several officers of rank were wounded on both sides, 
but none fell of particular note. 



General Essen, who commanded the army of 
Riga, had long since put that fine city into a state of 
preparation to stand a siege. Its magnificent suburbs 
were levelled with the ground; and every obstacle dis- 
placed that could impede the fire from its fortifications, 



88 

or facilitate the approaches of an enemy. The garrison 
had been greatly augmented; and as strong a force as 
could be spared, was stationed under the orders of 
Essen himself, as a covering army, in the environs. 

To give additional strength to these dispositions, 
he sent General Lewis, with several battalions of in- 
fantry, a considerable corps of artillery, a regiment of 
hulans, a body of Cossacs, and a heavy force of dra- 
goons, to occupy Eckau, and to post themselves in 
the neighbourhood of Bouske. 

The Prussians had been stationed between Mittau 
and Riga, under the immediate command of General 
Grawart, and formed a part of General Macdonald's 
division, whose head quarters were then at Yacob- 
stadt. Finding that the Russians had advanced and 
possessed themselves of Eckau, Grawart feared that 
their force might so accumulate as to cut oif his direct 
communication with Macdonald. To prevent this, he 
determined to attack them before their reinforcements 
could arrive; and, if possible, compel them to fall back 
upon Riga. 

With this intention, he ordered a chosen corps of 
his troops to proceed to the quarter occupied by the 
Russians. On the morning of the eighteenth of July, 
several bodies of Prussian hussars were discovered 
reconnoitering close to the outposts of General Lewis. 
They were no sooner perceived than attacked by a 
few squadrons of hulans, who obliged them to retire, 
leaving many prisoners in their hands. 



89 

This rencontre gave information to the Russians of 
the formidable advance of the enemy; for it was im= 
mediately followed by the knowledge of the great 
strength in which he was approaching. One division, 
from the neighbourhood of Kanken, and covered by 
General Kliest, came on to the left, and seemed de- 
termined by its menacing position, to take possession 
of the ground occupied by the Russians. x\nother 
division posted itself on the high road leading to 
Eckau, whence it was to move at a certain time upon 
their right and centre. 

General Essen was not intimidated by these threat- 
ening demonstrations, but redoubling his preparations 
for resistance, awaited the attack with an eager cou- 
rage, impatient of delay. 

No sooner had the Prussian left column presented 
itself to the contest, than it was greeted by a sweeping 
fire from a strong battery on a height that covered the 
right flank of the Russians. At the same instant their 
cavalry rushed forward, and charged a party of hu- 
lans, who were stationed near the entrance of a narrow 
defile, to prevent the Russian horse falling on the 
Prussian infantry. 

The cannonade doing much execution on the 
Prussian left column, General Kliest thought it ne- 
cessary to begin his closer movements by falling 
suddenly upon the Russian left. The firmness with 
which he was received, rather checked the force of 
his charge; but he persisted again and again to renew 
the attack, till an assault, continued for several hours, 

M 



90 

and as resolutely repulsed, proved to him that to 
shake the firm station his adversary had assumed was 
impossible. Every foot of ground was disputed in 
every part of the field, with an admirable resolution. 
But General Lewis, finding his right very hardly 
pressed by a division of the enemy just freshened by 
new reinforcements, thought it prudent to draw off 
his troops, and take a post nearer Riga. This he 
effected in such good order, and with so commanding 
a front, that the Prussian General did not venture to 
follow him. He took up his station at Dalenkirge. 

This was the first affair in which the Prussians 
were complied to enter the lists against their ancient 
ally; and the rencontre had been of a kind, (although 
the Russians left them in quiet possession of the dis- 
puted ground), that gave them no wish to hurry 
again into a similar trial of martial prowess. 

The loss on this occasion was not great on either 
side. The Russians had about six hundred killed and*- 
wounded; and the Prussians lost nearly the same 
number. 

After this affair, the troops of both states, remained 
for nearly a month without any action of consequence 
taking place between them. Meanwhile the French 
forces in the vicinity of Schlock, received augmenta- 
tions; and reports were in circulation that the besieg- 
ing train of heavy artillery from Dantzic was on its 
march, in order to commence immediate operations 
against Riga. Indeed General Essen received posi- 
tive information that a corps from the French reserve 
in Germany, had set out towards his station, to attack 



91 

him, and assist in the proposed siege. He was also 
told that this detachment was so strong as to render 
the presence of the Prussians no longer necessary; and 
that, on its arrival, they were to proceed to Dinaburg 
to join Macdonald. 

Essen, aware that should the French reinforcement 
come up while the Prussians remained unbroken in 
their present position, he should be constrained to 
fight at a terrible disadvantage, determined to, at 
least, disconcert part of the plan, by immediately at- 
tacking the Prussians, and to leave no effort unexerted 
to drive them back upon Mittau, and to the opposite 
bank of the Aa. 

The enemy had stationed himself well. The situa- 
tion was particularly commanding on his right, being 
at a short distance from the town of Eckau, and 
crossing the high road near Draken, which place was 
occupied by his troops. The position was rendered 
still stronger by entrenchments well furnished with 
artillery. His centre was equally well secured; as its 
left was flanked by the Mouss, a branch of the river 
Aa. There was also a considerable corps placed be- 
tween these stations and the Lake Babite; thus form- 
ing a link of communication with those near Schlock. 

The Prussians being thus marshalled, General 
Essen deemed the most successful point of attack 
would be on their right, and to this he directed his 
whole manoeuvres. He ordered a corps under the 
command of General Viliamoff, to make a false 
charge upon the centre; hoping, by this stroke, to 



92 

induce the enemy to dispatch troops from his flanks, 
to its support. Meanwhile he had directed that a for- 
midable division of gun-boals, filled with troops, 
(which had arrived a few days before from Dina- 
mond, under Admiral Von Moller), should disembark 
part of their men, who were to assist in dislodging 
the Prussians from Schlock, whilst the flotilla should 
proceed up the river to take them in flank and in rear. 
With such arrangements General Essen promised 
himself the completion of his most sanguine hopesj 
and his army, sympathizing with their Commander, 
on the 23d of August, advanced in the highest spirits 
to the attack. It began from the left with great fury: 
and in defiance of all the defences of art and of bravery, 
the Prussian entrenchments were carried by the Rus- 
sians at the point of the bayonet. But here again was 
to be made manifest the error of a headlong pursuit! 
The intrepid Russians, as eager in victory, as resolute 
in acquiring it, leaping the works they had so bravely 
won, and following up with breathless ardour their 
retreating foe, laid open their own ranks; and a large 
body of Prussian cavalry perceiving the advantage, 
rushed in upon them, and taking them in the disorder 
incident to a pursuit, made a terrible slaughter. Not- 
withstanding the surprise of this assault, and the great 
power of a fresh body of troops, over a corps of in- 
fantry fatigued from their late achievement, though 
full of exultmg bravery, the Russians receded not 
from the field of their victory till it was strewed with 
tlieir bleeding bodies; and then, with a constant con- 



93 

test, though a backward step, they gallantly and slowly 
retreated beyond their lines of defence. 

This turn in favour of the enemy, gave him time to 
rally through all his ranks, and to return to his guns. 
His right, which had suffered so severely, was now 
supported by an addition of eight pieces of flying ar- 
tillery, which General Grawart brought up with ad- 
mirable promptitude. Battle was again offered, and 
with an air of triumph, by the allies, which only 
roused the valour of the Russians to redoubled exer- 
tions. The fight recommenced with fury. The Prus- 
sians conducted themselves with bravery and skill, 
but the Russian energy at last fully prevailed; and, 
crowned with complete success, they saw the discom- 
fited flank of the enemy assume a retrograde move- 
ment, and then fairly abandon the field. It was soon 
followed by the Prussian centre, which had suffered 
but little, having been only slightly engaged, and that 
with the feint of General Viliamoff". 

At this juncture news was brought to General 
Essen, that circumstances had proved so adverse to 
the Commander of the flotilla, he could not proceed 
further with his forces than Schlock; but that he had 
obliged the enemy to retire from that place, and had 
now taken possession of it himself, as he found it im- 
possible to carry his boats farther up the Aa. By this 
failure on his part, (though not his fault), the assist- 
ance of the flotilla being denied to General Essen, one 
part of that officer's plan was frustrated. His intended 
operations on the enemy's right were entirely prevent- 



ed; but as those on his left had succeeded in driving 
him back to Mittau, Essen was reconciled to the dis- 
appointment of one part, by the glorious success of 
the other. 

The Russians in this affair took six hundred and 
fifty prisoners, besides a great many officers not in- 
cluded in that number. The total loss, in killed and 
wounded, of the enemy, amounted to nearly one thou- 
sand five hundred; and on the part of Russia, about 
six hundred killed and wounded. 

It is a singular fact that although no official declara- 
tion of peace between Great Britain and the Russian 
Empire had at this time been published, nor even 
publicly rumoured, yet arrangements were carrying 
on between the countries as if in the full confidence 
of such an amity. We find British armed vessels act- 
ing in concert with those of Russia, ever since the 
20th of July, 1812; and in the report made by Admi- 
ral Von Moller, to General Essen, on that expedition, 
and during his contest with Swartzenberg and Renicr, 
he says, " There were six armed English vessels, un- 
der the command of Captain Stuart, detached up the 
river Aa, while ten of our gun-boats landed a thou- 
sand troops to attack the enemy who occupied the 
town of Schlock and its environs.'* 

Whatever secresy, with regard to the grand object, 
had been maintained during the time of negociation, 
this circumstance was a sufficient advertisement to the 
public that such kindly dispositions were afloat be- 
tween the two states, as must, ere long proclaim to 



9S 

the world a re-union, which has ever been the wish, 
as it is the interest, of both people. 

Sweden was the scene of this happy adjustment. 
Mr. Thornton, our Minister at that court, was to act 
for England in that momentous discussion; and the 
event has shown how well he merited the trust reposed 
in his abilities. General Von Suckteline appeared on 
the part of his Imperial Majesty Alexander. And these 
two distinguished individuals, (empowered by their 
respective royal masters to restore, on the foundation 
of truth and honour, the ancient friendship between 
their countries, from its late suspension), had the hap- 
piness to fulfil their high mission to the satisfaction of 
their sovereigns, and with the gratulations of all their 
fellow-subjects. 

As soon as this re-union, on which the liberties of 
Europe seem to have depended, was brought to its 
accomplishment, the happy tidings were made public 
by the following ukase, which was dispatched to St. 
Petersburg, to Moscow, and to all the cities of the 
Imperial dominions: 

" The PEACE WITH ENGLAND, so generally 
and so long desired, is at length re-established. We 
hasten to announce it, knowing that it has been as 
ardently the wish of our faithful subjects, as of Eng- 
land herself. Feeling acutely for the decay into which 
our commerce fell by the disunion of the two coun- 
tries, we lose not a moment in seeking to revive it to 
new energies, by the proclamation of an amity so rich 



96 

in benefits to both parties. Nay, we even go before 
forms, in our tenderness for the public good and the 
public anxiety; and, without waiting for the official 
ratification of the deed of peace, we thus open before 
our people all its advantages. Unwilling that more of 
the summer should pass away, without having yielded 
those fruits to the two nations, which only commerce 
can bring; We order, from this day, that all our ports 
on the Baltic sea, on the White sea, and on the Black 
sea, shall be thrown open to the English vessels; and 
that every commercial relationship may instantly re- 
commence between our empire and that of Great 
Britain. 

(Signed) "Alexander." 

« Given at St. Petersburgh, Aug. 4th, O. S. 1812. 

Aug. 16th, N. S. 1812." 

It is not possible to describe the universal joy with 
which this proclamation was received. The higher or- 
ders celebrated the event with every species of social 
gratulation; and the lower ranks, from the trader to 
the peasant, evinced their gratitude in honest trans- 
ports; which made the Emperor feel that, in signing 
the peace with England, he had bestowed a benefit on 
his country which penetrated to the hearts of all his 
people. 

By entering into amicable connections with the 
Porte, he had liberated the army of the Danube, and 
could now turn its strength upon the common enemy; 
and by renewing his friendship with Great Britain, he 



97 

had opened to his subjects and his treasury all the re- 
sources of industry and an extended commerce. These 
were blessings to which Alexander was as sensible as 
his subjects; and the joy he gave, he participated. 
Nothing seemed wanting to perfect the happiness of 
his people, but the driving back, to the utmost limits 
of the empire, the invader who now so audaciously 
menaced its independence. And, to effect this the 
Emperor, the lord, and the vassal, ceased not day nor 
night to join with one interest in accumulating the 
armies of patriots which were to complete the delive- 
rance of their country. 

Every werst the enemy advanced within the Rus- 
sian empire, encreased the hatred of the peasantry 
towards him. And every act of affected conciliation; 
every offer which his agents proffered of enfranchise- 
ment from the command of their lords; every promise 
of liberty, rewards, and honours from the Great JVa- 
poleon, only filled the brave sons of ancient Scythia 
with indignation against the seductions of the tyrant, 
and with a firmer devotion to their native lords. 

The spirit of war which the Corsican has introduced, 
is one which was never before known in Christendom! 
A spirit of universal destruction; a spirit of merciless 
devastation; a spirit which emulates heathen butche- 
ries, and alike slaughters men in arms, and men with- 
out them, feeble age, and helpless woman, and infancy 
in vain stretching its innocent hands for pity. This in- 
human mode of warfare roused the unhappy Tyrolese 
against their murderer; this sanguinary persecution 

N ' 



called forth the heavy vengeance of the Spaniard; and 
this exterminating system, constrained the Russian to 
repel its attacks with a sword ruthless as its own. 

It frequently happened that when the prisoners, 
taken in these several rencontres, were on their way 
to be conveyed for security into the interior, their 
guards could hardly preserve them from the vehement 
revenge of the peasantry. And one instance where 
their indignant enthusiasm was allowed to take the 
reins, I cannot forbear recording. 

A detachment of French prisoners, conducted by a 
very small escort, having arrived in a village in the 
government of Twer, and bordering upon that of 
Smolensk, had the address, by superiority of numbers 
and subtilty of contrivance, to overpower their guard, 
and seizing their arms, would have extirpated them 
on the spot, had not the peasantry risen to their rescue. 
While one company of hardy rustics flew to the suc- 
cour of the soldiers, another rang the alarm-bell of the 
village; and the military, finding themselves again 
armed with the little arsenal of the village, and backed 
by its intrepid sons, soon compelled their treacherous 
adversaries to cry for quarter; which was not allowed 
to be granted till most of them had fallen a sacrifice 
to their desperate act of folly. But the consequences of 
this minor battle did not end here. The noise of the 
tocsin spread the alarm throughout the neighbour- 
hood, and thence to the whole government. Nothing 
less was believed than that the French had entered 
the district in great power. The more formidable the 



99 

report, the more eager was the zeal to oppose them. 
^Multitudes flocked towards the scene of action from 
iill quarters; and before the evening closed, nearly nine 
thousand well armed men were arranged under the 
standards of their respective lords. Being under the 
conviction that the French had really reached their 
province, it was witli the greatest difficulty that this 
magnanimous people were prevented setting fire to 
their crops of standing corn: " If they are not to be 
for us," cried they, "they shall not be left for the 
enemy!" 

Instances of this kind daily presented themselves; 
proving that there is no policy so good in the end, 
even to the most selfish man, as a perfectly disinte- 
rested conduct in times of public calamity; a sordid 
attention to individual interest, in these critical pe- 
riods, never fails, by dividing what ought to form the 
collected strength of the whole body, to leave the 
weak parts so exposed to an enemy that he has very 
little trouble in making them his own. It is indeed 
strange, that we see so few instances of this only true 
political wisdom. We find many nations talk of loyalty, 
of liberty, of patriotism; we hear individuals pronounce 
orations on these themes; but who has proved these 
subjects like the Russian? It is not every where that 
men are called upon to preserve their country by the 
burning of their harvests, and the conflagration of their 
cities; but every man has it in his power to sacrifice 
his luxuries to the public good, to immolate his pre- 
judices before the laws and their ministers; and to 
forget every short-sighted interest, either of his own 



100 



or his country's, in that of the great object which now 
agitates the world — the independence of more than 
Europe from the yoke of a tyrant! 



The army of Count Vigtenstein continued to occupy 
the ground it had taken up after the affairs of the tenth 
and eleventh of August. But on his having been re- 
inforced by several battalions from Dunabourg, he 
determined no longer to allow Davoust quietly to 
augment his force in the position he at present held 
close to Polotzk, and which was daily strengthening 
by the judicious labours of his engineers. This Gene- 
ral was hourly receiving fresh corps of Bavarians and 
Saxons, and no inconsiderable detachments from the 
army of Macdonald. 

When Vigtenstein calculated that his numbers were 
at all adequate to the attack he meditated, he put his 
army in motion. It was on the seventeenth of August 
that he marched them forward in two columns. One 
took the Bielo road, and the other the Smolianovo, 
that they might make themselves masters of the ad- 
vantageous ground on the left of the former. This was 
executed by pursuing a path not far from the small 
town of Gamzeleva, where the face of the country 
becomes elevated, and intersected by deep defiles. 
Through these the troops were obliged to pass, to 



101 

form themselves in order of battle. A very few hours 
brought both columns to the desired station. 

On the enemy learning the advance of the Russians, 
they moved from their lines of defence, and hastened 
to give him a check before he could reach the vantage 
point, which they judged was his object. But in this 
they were disappointed; however Oudinot lost no time 
in forming his dispositions, as he wished to make 
head against the Russians already formed, and prevent 
those still in the defiles from gaining their line. 

The penetrating eye of Vigtenstein frustrated these 
intentions, by dispatching a considerable corps of ar- 
tillery and light troops to cover the march of his peo- 
ple through the defiles; and to clear the openings of 
the enemy, while he moved onward with his left sup- 
ported by some regiments of cavalry. 

The rapidity with which the Russian soldiers obeyed 
the prompt suggestions of their General's mind was 
so amazing, that Oudinot found himself baffled in 
every mancEuvre. In a favourable moment Vigtenstein 
ordered a heavy fire to be opened upon the unformed 
masses of the enemy; and they, being in a very ex-, 
posed situation, found themselves obliged to recoil on 
each other; thus, gaining a temporary escape at the 
expence of throwing their rear into no inconsiderable 
disorder. Meanwhile, Vigtenstein having brought up 
a division of flying artillery on his extreme flank, it did 
its duty so effectually as to render the confusion of the 
French, in that part of the line, almost desperate. His 
next movement was to order the cavalry to attackj 



102 

and the shock they gave to the only firm body of the 
enemy, completely laid his flank open to the operations 
of the Russians. Vigtenstein pursued the advantage, 
and making the signal to his heroes they charged with 
their whole force. At this crisis, amidst the multitudes 
that fell, Marshal Oudinot received a dangerous wound 
in the shoulder, and was carried off the field. His wound 
M^as felt to the farthest ranks of his army, for a com- 
plete confusion and carnage ensued along this part of 
the line, which spread dismay to the centre; and com- 
municating to the left, filled all with a consternation 
so extreme, that nothing seemed left but to retire upon 
their lines of defence. It was now a flight rather than 
a retreat; disorder was in every rank, fear in every 
breast; and as they precipitately abandoned the field, 
hundreds fell beneath the sabres and bayonets of their 
pursuers, whilst the discharge of grape from the artil- 
lery swept down all before it with a tremendous 
havoc. 

This victory was achieved by the Russians with 
very little loss on their side, but that of the enemy was 
immense. 

Count Vigtenstein having driven them far beyond 
their entrenchments, chose to occupy that strong 
ground himself; and on this commanding situation, 
make able dispositions to meet succeeding conflicts. 

When Oudinot was wounded, the command de- 
volved upon General Gouvion St. Cyr; who, being 
ambitious to have the credit of retrieving the honour 
of the division, lost by the failure of his predecessor, 



103 

determined to renew the attack the next day. To this 
end he called up every succour within his reach, and 
brought forward every soldier at all capable of bearing 
arms after the sanguinary contest of the preceding 
day. The Bavarians, under Count VVrede, were 
placed on the right. Saint Cyr took the command of 
the centre in person; giving the left to General Mai- 
son, who had succeeded General Verdeir; the latter 
officer having been severely wounded in the late 
affair. 

Though prepared for the enemy, yet, having just 
chastised him so completely, Count Vigtenstein did 
not mean to provoke him to resume hostilities imme- 
diately; but preferred remaining within his lines. He 
had detached a sufficient force to prevent Macdonald 
from advancing on him from Dinabourg. That city, 
from its comparatively insignificant importance at the 
present juncture, had been evacuated by the Russians; 
but not before they had destroyed every article within 
it that could be of use to the enemy. By withdrawing 
from that town, a valuable accession of troops was 
enabled to join the army on the Dwina. And, owing 
to the situation of the Prussians in the vicinity of 
Riga, Macdonald dared not with safety break up his 
means of communication either with that corps or the 
troops of Oudinot; one of which he must have cut off^ 
had he formed a junction with either. 

About twelve o'clock at noon on the 18th, Saint 
Cyr began to move, under cover of a strong battery 
of artillery. Thus protected, he formed his line, and 



104 

proceeded to the attack. Count Vigtenstein allowed 
him to make these demonstrations without interrup- 
tion. The French General then ordered the Bavarians 
to begin the battle on the right with their guns. This 
was the signal for the cannonade to run down the 
whole line. Both armies being so near, and in such 
complete array for the contest, a discharge from the 
whole of the French infantry followed the thunder of 
their artillery. It was answered by the Russians with 
equal energy. The enemy had added to the strength 
of his left a well appointed battery on the bank of the 
Dwina, which now began its play upon the adverse 
troops. However, the brave Russians regarded it not, 
but charged to the very mouths of the guns, and with 
the points of their bayonets drove the enemy in that 
quarter back to their reserve. This bold attack was 
supported by several squadrons of dragoons, who fol- 
lowed the advantage, trampling down, and destroying 
the French infantry, who now but faintly defended 
themselves. The rest fled to their entrenchments. 

Vigtenstein, meanwhile, plied the centre; but here 
the conflict was very severe. It repelled all his efforts 
with the greatest bravery for a considerable time, but 
the persevering heroism of the Russians at last made 
them give ground, and they too fell back towards their 
lines of defence. The right being yet unbroken, de- 
fended itself well, and many acts of individual bravery 
were here distinguished; but General Wredc seeing 
all his exertions unavailing, and that none of the dis- 
persed French troops attempted to return to the at- 



105 

tack, felt himself obliged, after so long and gallant a 
resistance, to follow the retreating legions; and, like 
them, take refuge beyond their lines. 

The flight of St. Cyr's army gained its fugitives no 
safety. The Russians, incensed at the audacity of the 
French general, in presuming to attack them in the 
manner he did, so immediately on their signal victory 
over his predecessor, pursued his disgrace with a 
frightful carnage. So fierce was their continued 
charge upon the flying squadrons, that they not only 
passed the French lines, putting all to death who re- 
sisted, but drove the enemy before them into the very 
suburbs of Polotzk, and put them to the sword in the 
streets. Bioody, as great was this victory. When 
night's obscurity rather increased than concealed its 
horrors. Count Vigtenstein commanded the deathful 
work to cease. The battle had lasted more than twelve 
hours, when he ordered his troops to draw off, and 
retire to his old position. The prisoners amounted to 
three thousand men, besides thirty officers of various 
ranks, amongst whom were two colonels. The enemy 
left two thousand five hundred killed and wounded on 
the field of battle, independent of those who fell in 
the lines. Fifteen pieces of cannon were also abandon- 
ed to the victors. The loss on the Russian side, 
during the two days fighting, amounted to one thou- 
sand in all, hors de combat; besides Generals Berg, 
Hamen, and Kazatichkovsky, who were wounded. 

Thus ended two desperate attempts of two Gene- 
rals of Napoleon, to accomplish his great object of 

O 



106 

opening a passage for his troops to St. Petersburghl 
one of them, with the loss of half his army, had been 
wounded almost mortally; whilst the other, in rashly 
adventuring to repair his discomfiture, only heaped 
accumulated defeat and disgrace on the arms of his 
master! 



Napoleon having fully refreshed his troops at Vi- 
tepsk, and also having received information of the 
approach of new reinforcements from Tilsit, to Wil- 
na, again put himself in motion. He ordered the corps 
of Beauharnois, and of Murat, to march upon the 
Boresthenes on the 13th of August; the first was to 
cross that river opposite to Rassasna, and the latter to 
pass the Beressvvinya river and to cross the Borest- 
henes near Hiyomina. Having thus concentrated his 
force, he meditated an immediate advance upon Smo- 
lenzk. 

Barclay de Tolly being informed that the enemy 
was in this manner drawing together his most efficient 
powers in the vicinity of Doubrovna and Rassasna, 
ordered Prince Bragation to fall back, and pass 
through the city to the Moscow road, and there halt 
at a few wersts distance to await further directions. 
Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief would himself, 
on the 14th of August, break up his own position. 



107 

and retire to the high ground which commanded the 
town on the right bank of the Dneiper. 

Scarcely had he executed this movement ere he 
heard from the Generals Rajefsky, and Neverofsky, 
(both of whom had been left at Krasnoy), that they 
had been obliged to assume a retrograde motion to 
within seven wersts of Smolenzk; and that the aug- 
mented force of the enemy were coming on to offer 
battle. These generals reported also that, early on the 
14th, their advanced post at Laidy, consisting of Cos- 
sacs, had been driven in, and pursued even to their 
head-quarters. To do this, a large detachment from 
the enemy's army had been sent under the commands 
of Ney and Murat. They reached Krasnoy without 
difficulty, and fell upon the Russian division stationed 
in its neighbourhood. The defence made on the part 
of the Russians was, as usual, bloody and gallant; but 
the vast superiority of the enemy's numbers carried 
every thing before them, and Krasnoy was gained at 
the point of the bayonet. 

General Rajefsky retreated to Essennaya, and from 
that place dispatched information to the Commanderr 
in-chief, of his disaster. The amount of Rajefsky's 
force before this affair was about seven'thousand men, 
including two thousand five hundred cavalry. He had 
also twelve pieces of cannon. His loss was greatr 
being upwards of two thousand men, in killed, wound- 
ed, and prisoners, besides several guns. 

On this intelligence Barclay de Tolly reinforced 
the garrison of Smolenzk, and ordered the shattered 



108 

remains of Rajefsky's corps, on the approach of the 
enemy, to retire within the fortified lines in front of 
the extensive suburbs. The city, having been long in 
preparation to repel an attack, various batteries had 
been constructed, and every means adopted which 
could add strength to a position so favourably situated 
to check the advance of the invader. 

Prince Bragation, in obedience to the commands of 
the Commander-in-chief, passed on to the high road 
leading to Moscow through Dorogabotiche, where he 
halted as directed; but at the same time kept detach- 
ments of light troops in the neighbourhood of Elnia 
and Koslavli, to stop the advance of the enemy, should 
he attempt to cutoff the Prince's communication with 
the metropolis on that side. 

Barclay de Tolly having thus disposed his Gene- 
rals of divisions, intended to await alone the approach 
of his adversary; and, with this view, he placed his 
army on the line of heights which cover Smolenzk on 
the right bank of the Boresthenes. The city was de- 
fended by about thirty thousand men, who held com- 
munication with his main army by three bridges 
which crossed that river. 

From the ancient character of the walls which en- 
circled Smolenzk, they were found but indifferently 
suited to modern warfare, being flanked and bulwark- 
ed at different points by high and ill-fashioned towers; 
however, to turn even these to advantage, the Rus- 
sians planted them with several pieces of heavy ord- 



109 

nance, sufficient to command most of the ways leading 
through the fauxbourgs. 

The French army continued to approach the town 
in a very menacing attitude, having been recently 
augmented by the division under Prince Poniatofsky, 
which had joined them from Mohiloff, by the way of 
Romanoff, on the 15th. By this junction, the whole 
force of the enemy was directed against this city. The 
possession of it would involve many advantages on 
the side of the French. Its acquisition must dislodge 
the Russians from their present commanding station; 
which was, unquestionably, the most favourable 
ground on which they could make a stand between 
the Boresthenes and Moscow; and, when they were 
driven away, the road would be left free for the ad- 
vance of Napoleon to the capital of the Tzars. 

Dear has ever been the tax of pre-eminence. Smo- 
lenzk was always regarded as a post of the highest 
importance to rival powers. In former ages it had 
been the object of many hot contentions, and had 
known all the evils of war. But for a long lapse of 
time, like a toil-worn hero resting amid his offspring, 
it lay in tranquillity and comfort, enjoying its distinc- 
tion and its repose. Thus was the venerable city of 
Smolenzk, when the blast of invasion reached its 
walls, and its peaceful inhabitants saw the hills which 
surmounted them embattled with the protecting ranks 
of their country. Age is the season of timidity. The 
old, and the feeble, woman and child, thought they 
beheld their so lately happy city, overclouded by all 



110 

the horrors of war; and, fearful of being exposed to 
its cruel consequences, they fled the place in every 
direction. Some sought security in Moscow, some at 
Twer, some at Yarrowslaff; and thousands took re- 
fuge with the army on the heights. Intending from 
those eminences to remam sad spectators of the awful 
moment that was approaching to make their beloved 
city the theatre of bloody contest. It might be the 
field of combat, but the wisdom of its veterans had 
taken care that it should not be that of spoil; for im- 
mediately on hearing of the approach of the French 
towards their quarters, they ransacked the town for 
all its valuables, even to the treasures of the churches, 
and sent them under a strong convoy to a place of 
safety. By this precaution private property, as well as 
public, was preserved to the rightful owners; and the 
enemy was deprived of the resources he always looked 
for in plunder. 

Buonaparte had quitted Vitepsk on the 13th of 
August. He reached Korwitinia on the 15th; and on 
the following day was at the head of his army before 
Smolenzk. He lost no time in reconnoitering both the 
town and the position which the Russians held on the 
opposite bank of the river. He also acquainted him- 
self with the strength of the force which had been left 
to defend the city. This he intended to carry imme- 
diately; and, therefore, gave orders for an assault to 
commence at the entrenched suburbs, whilst he should 
endeavour to cut off, by the destruction of the three 
bridges, all succours to the Russians from their com- 



Ill 

fades on the heights. He had little doubt of the city 
soon falling into his hands, and of that advantage 
being followed by the possession of the heights; as he 
concluded, from the Russian General not having occu- 
pied the left bank of the Dneiper, he would, on the 
loss of the town, abandon the hills, and continue his 
march, in order to seek a more favourable spot for a 
general battle. 

According to these deductions, directions were 
given to Marshal Ney that he should form his divi- 
sions, taking up the ground on the left, and support- 
ing his flank on the Dneiper. Davoust, planted his 
division as the centre; and Prince Poniatofsky sta- 
tioned his on the right. Two reserves of cavalry and 
of guards were posted in the rear. With the former 
was Murat and Beauharnois; and with the latter, Na- 
poleon. The army, thus formed, moved forward close 
upon the Russian front. 

On the morning of August the seventeenth there 
was an awful pause. The armies of two vast empires 
stood gazing on each other as if studying where to 
strike the mortal blow: at length the silence of medita- 
ted death was broken. From the extreme point of the 
Russian right, to that of their left, fire from a hundred 
cannon poured destruction amid the enemy's ranks. 
Rapid discharges of musketry, which ran along their 
front, seconded the guns with a horrible carnage. 

The attack of the French was not less vigorous or 
terrific. Their numerous artillery gave bloody answer 
to that on the Russian position; whilst their multitude. 



112 

and concentrating movements, bore along upon their 
adversary with a force that seemed formed to sweep 
all before them. 

The troops of Poniatofsky, assisted by corps of 
cavalry and light artillery, after a hard struggle, suc- 
ceeded in dislodging, from an excellent position, a 
considerable body of Russians. This advantage, so 
fortunate for the enemy, enabled them to throw up a 
battery on the spot; which they immediately opened 
upon the south bridge, with an effect answerable to 
their wishes. 

Tlie battle now raged with the most desperate fury. 
In spite of a dreadful fire from the Russian artillery, 
the enemy pushed on to the entrenched suburbs, and 
in the very mouths of the guns attacked the Russian 
troops at the point of the bayonet. The havoc on both 
sides was prodigious. The earth was covered with 
the wounded and the dead; but nothing seemed pos- 
sible to shake the firmness of the Russians. They 
stood like a rock before the repeated attempts of the 
French to break a way through them. For upwards 
of two hours this bloody contest was maintained. 
Every species of assault was levelled by the enemy 
against their undaunted adversaries; but nothing could 
prevail over their resolution not to yield but with 
their lives. At last their movements were impeded by 
the numbers of the slain; and finding that accessions 
of hostile troops pressed upon their thinned ranks, the 
Russians retired towards Smolenzk; disputing every 



113 

inch of ground, till the enemy was checked by the 
fire from its ancient towers. 

Barclay de Tolly, on seeing that the suburbs on the 
opposite quarter of the town were completely forced, 
and that the city itself was seriously threatened, deter- 
mined to defend it for, at least, several hours; in order 
to gain time for Bragation's army, then on the Mos- 
cow road, to move on to Dorogobouche, where the 
Commander-in-chief now decided on joining it. 

The Russian .batteries had been planted to great 
advantage all along the heights. One battery of fifteen 
pieces of cannon, did much execution upon the ene- 
my's right, and drove him from the ground he occu- 
pied with that part of his artillery which had poured 
so destructive a fire on the upper bridge. Another 
battery, of twenty pieces, checked the enemy in his 
advance through the suburb connected with the St. 
Petersburgh bridge. 

The city now became the immediate object of at- 
tack. The fire from its walls, as well as from a few 
loosely constructed works at their feet, kept the enemy 
at bay. But he lost not a moment in constructing 
breaching batteries at different points, and so well 
placed, that a short time only was necessary to oblige 
the troops who manned the trifling outworks to leave 
them to their fate. No resistance was now made to 
the assailants, but by the good old towers and vene- 
rable breastwork of the city,, 

A tremendous fire opened from the French batte- 

P 



114 

ries upon these antique battlements, and gave no pause, 
even when its flashes alone lit the terrible darkness of 
the night. 

The Russian general, meanwhile, ordered an active 
defence to be kept up, while he made arrangements 
for the march of the army to Dorogobouche. It was 
seven o'clock in the evening, when the first column 
was put in motion. It was commanded by General 
Touchkoff", and composed of three corps of infantry, 
and the first reserve of cavalry. It took the route to 
Bradichino. At nine, the second column, under the 
orders of General DochorofF, composed of two corps 
of infantry and two of cavalry, besides the remains of 
General Rajefsky, proceeded, in a nearly parallel di- 
rection, by the road leading to YalkofF-Postiloff. Gene- 
ral Korff, vvith a strong division that occupied the 
town, and the suburb of St. Petcrsburgh, was to form 
the great rear guard, and to defend himself against 
every attack, until he had advice that the rest of the 
army had cleared the French lines. He was then to 
destroy all that might be serviceable to the enemy, 
and evacuate the town. Platoff, with his Cossacs, was 
to follow this body; and form a chain of detached 
corps between Proudichi and Doukoflfachina. 

The dreadful hours of destruction rolled on; and 
the ruin and death of thousands became the horrible 
marks of French aggression. Invasion was without, 
patriotistn within; and hosts continued to fall on both 
sides. Many attempts were made by the enemy to 
carry by assault the walls, which were now beginning 



to give way; but what stone could not withstand, the 
courage of men breasted, and the assailants were re- 
pulsed at every attack. 

The interior of this once beautiful and flourishing 
capital of the government of Smolenzk, began to pre- 
sent a scene heart-rending to the eye of a common 
spectator, but glorious to that of the patriot. Every 
magazine was destroyed, every edifice fired, which 
could offer the means of resource to the enemy. The 
inhabitants, (at least all that chose to remain behind 
those who had retired to the heights), were the first 
to put their torches to this hard duty. The flames 
spread rapidly through every quarter; and the houses 
which were built of wood, quickly conducted its dire- 
ful influences over the whole extent of this once fine 
city, whose centre now blazed forth in vast volumes 
of fire and smoke. 

Napoleon in his report of this event, gives a perfect 
idea of its appearance, in these words:—" In the midst 
of a fine night in August, Smolenzk offered to the 
eyes of the French, the spectacle that presents itself 
to the inhabitants of Naples, during an irruption of 
Vesuvius." 

During the ever-memorable defence of the city 
against so superior a force as was then brought against 
it, no troops were more distinguished for their unre- 
ceding valour and effective service than a large body 
of the newly-raised Russian militia. Its intrepidity 
and discipline would have added fresh laurels to th^ 
most veteran brows. 



116 

Two hours after this tremendous conflagration 
commenced, General KorfF destroyed the communi- 
cation with the right bank of the Dneiper, and then 
followed the steps of the leading columns. The enemy 
perceiving that the Russian army was in full retreat, 
and that the firing from the walls had gradually sub- 
sided, advanced; and, without further resistance, took 
possession of the city in the morning of the 18th of 
August. 

No pen can describe the rage of Napoleon on be^ 
holding the spectacle which presented itself. The 
spacious streets were blocked up with ruined and 
falling houses, and magnificent buildings were blaz- 
ing in every direction, threatening the total consump- 
tion of those that remained yet uninjured. To pre- 
serve some means of quartering his troops, the French 
leader immediately ordered every exertion to stop the 
progress of the flames. The men employed in this 
service, gave themselves little trouble in their duty; 
and aware that the extent of the mischief already done 
would render their disobedience less observed, in- 
stead of attempting to extinguish the fires by which 
they were surrounded, they spread themselves all 
over the city wherever the burning destruction had 
not seized; and, entering the houses and the churches, 
pillaged whatever valuables they found, and mur- 
dered with the most unheard of cruelties, all whom 
accident or attachment to their native city had left in 
their passage. Time, therefore, was the sole extin- 
guisher of this immense conflagration; and it was not 



117 

until the eveninp: of the 19th, that the flames of this 
sacrifice expired, and Smolenzk became enshrouded 
in a veil of black smoke. 

Buonaparte had always considered the possession 
of this city as one of his first objects in the Russian 
invasion. Such a station would be full of advantage 
to his troops. Indeed he was so thoroughly aware of 
its utility, that he thus expresses himself on the sub- 
ject: 

" Smolenzk may be considered as one of the finest 
cities in Russia, and of the most commanding situa- 
tion. Had it not been for the circumstances of war, 
which involved it in flames, and consumed its maga- 
zines filled with merchandize, this city would now be 
regarded as one of the richest resources of our army. 
But even in its present ruined state, it puts us in pos- 
session of a formidable military post, and its remain- 
ing buildings afford excellent hospitals for the sick." 

The French leader was not more sensible of the 
value of the treasures contained in Smolenzk, than 
were its inhabitants; and to disappoint him of their 
use, what could not be removed, they sacrificed to the 
preservation of their country. To these patriots no- 
thing seemed too precious to resign for so dear a 
stake. Whether it be wealth or even the bread from 
their lips, or the roof that sheltered them, or the vital 
blood of their hearts, all were deemed as nought in 
comparison with the venerated laws of their empire, 



118 

their fealty to their lords, and their independence 
from threatened usurpation. What can man lay down 
more than his life, in evidence of his principle? And 
this the Russian, from the prince to the peasant, was 
ready, and did lay down, in the cause of the empire 
and of the world. 

Napoleon, in passing over the ashes of these sacri- 
fices at Smolenzk, was often heard to exclaim, " Never 
was a war prosecuted with such ferocity! Never did 
defence put on so hostile a shape against the common 
feelings of self-preservation! These people treat their 
own country as if they were its enemies!" 

But in some cases there is no defence unless we 
put all to the hazard, and immolate a part to preserve 
the whole. Narrow policy is the principle of ruin. 

The loss of human lives during this tremendous 
contest was immense. Not less than one hundred 
thousand men must have been engaged in the battle, 
and attack and defence of the town; and, from the 
obstinacy with which the combat was maintained, the 
deaths became very numerous. Four thousand fell 
on the Russian side, amongst whom were many brave 
officers, though none of distinguished name. Their 
wounded amounted to about two thousand. The 
Russian Commander-in-chief, in his report of this af- 
fair, observes — " Although our loss is so serious, yet 
we have reason to congratulate ourselves that it bears 
no proportion to the incalculable loss of the enemy, 
whose rashness during his repeated attacks, threw away 



119 

the lives of his men with an indifference not to be 
credited." 

The French account of their loss is absurdly tri- 
fling; and we can only wonder, when the circum- 
stances of the affair are considered, how the writer of 
it could have the folly to suppose it would be be- 
lieved. He states that Napoleon lost no more than 
seven hundred in killed! He allows of three thousand 
two hundred wounded; but closes the bulletin with 
the exaggeration that, while the French slain were so 
few, the Russians lost to the number of fourteen thou- 
sand, seven hundred men! 

This statement is made in the usual French style; 
and while we read it, and others, relating the small 
damage they incur in even the most sanguinary con- 
flicts, we can only be surprised at finding, in perhaps 
the next report, that this invulnerable band of heroes 
feel the necessity of being recruited. 

Possession of even the burning site of Smolenzk 
was not to be gained on such easy terms. The man- 
ner of the attack, and the determination of its defence^ 
are sufficient evidences that the assailing power must 
have suffered the greater loss in lives. The Russians, 
when the suburbs were attacked, were in a great de- 
gree covered by their entrenchments, while the ene- 
my's troops were advancing for a considerable length 
of time completely exposed to the galling and heavy 
fire of the artillery and small arms. It was here that 
the French fell in hundreds. But when the conflict 
took place in the lines, then the entrenchments be- 



120 

came heaped with their dead and dying. The French 
report cannot but give some shadow of the truth in 
this respect. It says, " the field of battle presented 
to the eyes of two hundred thousand persons, who 
can attest it, heaps of slain, where the body of one 
Frenchman lay upon the bleeding relics of seven or 
eiffht of his fallen enemies." 

o 

This representation has only to be reversed, and it 
will be found a true statement of the proportion of the 
slain, giving the greater numbers of the dead, as was 
the fact, to the French side. The information given 
by Spanish deserters, and prisoners taken at the time, 
leave it beyond a doubt that Napoleon lost far more 
men on that bloody day, than he deemed prudent to 
acknowledge in his bulletins. The true report would 
have been nearer thirteen thousand in killed and 
wounded, than three thousand; and in this number 
we do not include several Generals, three of whom 
Buonaparte owns to have fallen. 

Smolenzk was now in the hands of the invader. 
But all the trophies it yielded to his glory were its 
cannon, and the smouldering ashes of its once popu- 
lous streets. He and his Generals took up their resi- 
dence in the episcopal palace, which had escaped the 
flames; and the troops were ordered to seek repose in 
any buildings they might find standing. The churches 
that remained unhurt, were appropriated to the use of 
the cavalry. 

Had Napoleon entered Russia with the wishes of 
its inhabitants, this last measure would have been 



121 

sufficient to turn their good-will to detestation. The 
sight of a licentious soldiery bursting into the holy 
edifices, tearing down the decorations, breaking open 
the wardrobes, and violating the consecrated vest- 
ments and vessels of the altar, struck to their hearts 
with amaze and horror. But when they beheld the 
horses pass the sacred threshold, their vehement in- 
dignation is not to be described. Their expressions 
were answerable to their feelings; and the few, who 
yet survived the fate of their city, were made to shed 
their blood with their tears before the doors of their 
defiled churches. 

Such a zeal may appear extravagant to professors 
of a less enthusiastic religion; and many may turn 
from its emotions and its sacrifices with contempt. 
But it would be well to judge men, not by the light 
we ourselves have received, but by that which has 
been dispensed to them. Objects may be wrong, but 
yet the impulse right. The same spirit which con- 
firmed the protestant martyr at the stake, who died 
in evidence of the pure doctrines of Christianity, 
brought the pious son of the Greek church to resent, 
at the peril of his life, the pollution of the place con- 
secrated to the worship of his Creator. God said, 
" My house is the house of prayer, but ye have made 
it a den of thieves." Such a sacrilege was not tole- 
rated by the founder of our religion; and it becomes 
not the disciple to pretend to more liberality on this 
subject than his divine Master. 

The honest Russian regards the temple of his God 

Q 



122 

with a reverence so great that nothing is suftered to 
approach its walls, that can defile them even in idea; 
and therefore it is not surprising that when the viola- 
tion of the churches of Smolenzk was known through- 
out the empire, the hatred of the people should be 
augmented a hundred fold against the invader and 
his sanguinary followers. 



The Russian army, covered by the corps of Gene- 
rals KorfF and PlatoiF, continued for many hours to 
move towards its destined point without molestation. 
The precaution of destroying the bridges across the 
Dneiper, for some time prevented the advance of the 
French in the same direction. But Napoleon, with 
his usual promptitude had, on observing the gradual 
withdrawing of the Russians from the heights, or- 
dered a bridge to be thrown over the river much 
higher than the site of the old ones, and considerably 
to the right of the town. The work was carried on 
with so much alacrity, that it was nearly completed 
at the same moment in which the last of Barclay de 
Tolly's rear guard were quitting the suburbs. 

When a communication was thus opened with the 
opposite bank, (and which Buonaparte rendered still 
more free by setting his men to repair, with all ex- 
peditioDj the demolished bridges;) the French passed 



123 

over in a strong body under the command of Marshal 
Ney. His orders were to overtake, and attack the re- 
tiring division of the Russians; while the corps of 
Junot and Davoust, supported by the whole of the 
cavalry under Murat and Beauharnois, were to move 
upon DouchofFachina, and proceed to the right bank 
by the newly constructed bridge, and then continue 
their march to the high road, between Valitina Gora 
and Lavachina, leading to Moscow. At this point 
they hoped to cut off the rear- guard of the Russians 
from the main army; and, in consequence of such a 
loss, reduce that army to such extremities as to throw 
it completely into their power. 

General Baron KorfF, in making his retiring move 
ments, marched along the heights in two columns, m 
a direction to the point where the two roads branched 
off. On these roads the Russian troops which preceded 
him, had taken their route; and on the spot where the 
ways separated, he was to station himself, that he 
might cover both. 

Not aware of the so rapid advance of the French 
upon this very track, the Baron was surprised to find 
his forward parties fall back. They explained their 
check by giving information that the enemy had gain» 
ed the right shore of the Boresthenes in great force, 
and were spreading themselves between him and his 
proposed line of march. 

In this critical situation, nothing was left but to 
endeavour to maintain his present position; not doubt- 
ing but that the Commander-in-chiefj on finding the 



124 

rear- guard had been attacked, would lose no time in 
sending troops to its support. According to this reso- 
lution, Korff ordered the right column to form on the 
ground where it then stood; and the left to station 
itself on a commanding point close to the town of 
Valitina. Prompt as the troops were in obeying these 
directions, they were not completely executed before 
another body of the enemy appeared on the Smolenzk 
side. These new corps waited not an instant, but 
attacked the Russians with a sudden and tremendous 
shock. This was the signal for a general assault in the 
other quarter. 

Ney's troops began the business, by charging the 
rear of the right column of the Russians before it had 
time to finish its formation. He made the onset with 
the bayonet; it being his design, by the surprise and 
impetuosity of his movement, to drive them from 
their ground. 

General Korff perceiving the difficulties of his situ- 
ation increase, judged it prudent to release himself, 
if possible, from these unequal and desperate encoun- 
ters, by making a junction with his left column, which 
was forming very rapidly, and had already opened a 
heavy fire upon the advancing bodies of the enemies. 
To this effect, he ordered two battalions, supported 
by several guns, to remain on his present ground, to 
cover his movement while retiring upon the other 
column. 

The brave men selected for this duty, performed 
it with unshaken firmness, notwithstanding the most 



125 

violent efforts to dislodge them: nor did they recede 
one step, until their general had gained his object; al- 
though to ensure it, nearly one half of their undaunted 
comrades sacrificed their lives. 

At this crisis the rear of the Russian main army 
was not farther distant from the scene of action than 
six wersts. When the Commander-in-chief heard the 
cannonade, he justly apprehended that his covering 
troops had been assailed, and, without loss of time he 
gave orders for Prince Eugene of Wirtemberg, with 
a strong division of infantry and detachments of artil- 
lery, to return to the separation of the two roads where 
General Korff's corps had been left. Directions were 
also sent to Major- General Touchkoff, to march with 
a body of troops to the support of General Karpoff, 
who was at the village of Gedeonovo with a small 
corps, occupying the ground near the river, and close 
to the high road to Moscow. 

Prince Eugene of Wirtemberg executed his orders 
with great ability, defeating the enemy in every at- 
tempt to oppose his passage to the attainment of his 
object. 

General Korff, on seeing himself so powerfully re- 
inforced, and still maintaining his advantageous posi- 
tion, believed himself sufficiently strong to defy the 
utmost efforts of the enemy to dislodge him. The 
French, however, dared the enterprize; and a heavy 
column moved forwards towards the centre of the 
Russian front. It was supported by two others which, 



126 

on the opposing line being broken, was to close in 
and complete the destruction. 

Owing to the commanding situation of the Russian 
ground, its artillery had a terrible effect on the ad- 
vancing enemy, who, seeing his men fall in hundreds, 
and that General Gudin, by whom they had been led 
on, lay dead on the field, commanded a pause in the 
attack. He perceived, from what had just happened, 
how vain would be the attempt to force KorlF, who was 
now so well supported, from his formidable position; 
and trying another way, the French leader ordered a 
movement to his right; with the intention, by falling 
upon the little detachment of Karpoff, of getting pos- 
session of the road he protected; and of, probably, in- 
ducing KorfF either to come down from his present 
ground, or at least to weaken himself by dispatching 
troops to the aid of Karpoff 's division. 

The enemy advanced to this attack with a fury an- 
swerable to the magnitude of his ultimate object. 
Karpoff finding himself severely pressed, and nearly 
overwhelmed, began rapidly to fall back; but, happily, 
at this critical moment General Touchkoff appeared. 
A part of his fresh troops rushed on to the support of 
their retiring countrymen, and, checking the impe- 
tuosity of the French, enabled Karpoff to detach a 
considerable body of his cavalry to the succour of 
his left, and also to bring up the remainder of his ar- 
tillery. 

The enemy, though checked, was not repulsed; 
and, returning to the attack with renewed spirit, they 



127 

charged the Russians with their whole weight of 
cavalry. The combat was close and obstinate; many 
gallant acts were performed on both sides, but neither 
seemed to prevail. The French object was to open to 
themselves the great road, and to this end Marshals 
Davoust, Ney, and Murat, directed all their operations 
against the Russian left. 

Whilst this brave column stood its ground without 
yielding an inch, Baron KorfF, observing the direction 
in which the enemy was thickening his ranks, dis- 
patched a reinforcement to the division of KarpofF; 
and himself, at the same time made a movement on 
his left, parallel with that of the enemy. This he did, 
not only to support more effectually the gallant little 
corps of Karpoff, but to prevent the designs of the 
French to block up his line of march. 

After a conflict of many hours, the day was far ad- 
vanced, when part of Korff's troops, in following up 
their mancKuvres, came in upon the right of Touch- 
koff's troops. This happy junction, aided by a smart 
fire from a thick wood well lined with light infantry, 
(which had been posted there to protect the right,) 
had a decisive effect upon the opposite division of 
the enemy. Marshal Ney commanded in this quarter. 
Finding his troops so hotly received, he determined 
to make a strong effort to turn his adversary in his 
flank, by bringing up a column which had not yet 
been engaged. The advance was accordingly made, 
and supported by several squadrons of horse and ar- 
tillery, but all in vain. The strengthened corps of the 



128 

Russians so completely baffled his endeavours, that, 
after two successive attempts, he was obliged to aban- 
don the enterprize, and retire under the galling fire of 
his adversary. The contest, after this retrograde move- 
ment of the three Marshals, gradually subsided on the 
part of the French; and, by twelve o'clock at night 
(August 19th), the Russians were left in quiet pos- 
session of the disputed wsiv. 

The Generals KorfF, Touchkoff, and the Prince of 
Wirtemberg, finding themselves so entirely masters 
of the field as to be able to move to any point without 
opposition, decided on marching towards the Dneiper, 
meaning to pass that river near Slob-Pneva. 

This hard-fought day cost both armies many lives. 
The Russians calculate their own loss in killed to 
amount to one thousand. Their wounded might be 
numbered at three thousand. The French slain, (from 
the disadvantageous situations in which they made their 
attacks,) must have been double that of their adver- 
sary's. They lost during the day, upwards of thirteen 
hundred men, as prisoners to the Russians. Napoleon's 
reports, with their usual delusions, will not allow of 
this, but estimate the loss in their lines to be six hun- 
dred killed, two thousand six hundred wounded, but 
ivithout losing a man as a prisoner! 

This gallant stand, made by a corps of not more 
than forty thousand Russians, against a force of ninety 
thousand men, astonished the discomfited enemy, and 
filled the adjacent country with confidence. If so much 
could be done by so small a body of resolute soldiers^ 



129 

what might not be expected from the accumulated and 
concentrated force of the empire! 

As it is the custom of the French ruler always to 
claim the laurels of the field, it is not out of course 
that he should place upon his head the bloody wreath 
of this; but in the midst of his assumption he cannot 
forbear owning it as a hard-earned victory, as one of the 
most brilliant faits d'^armes ever recorded in military 
history. The plan of the Russians, in this campaign, 
of falling back into their country, until the time and 
the circumstances should unite by which they might 
pour certain destruction on their invaders, afforded 
Napoleon a ground for his assumption of every vic- 
tory, and assisted in the impositions his reports were 
framed to put on the world. At least, such was the 
effect on superficial observers. But a grand and com- 
prehensive and conclusive plan was that of Russia at 
this crisis; and to maintain it, they as readily left the 
field of triumph as of discomfiture. It is too much the 
practice to judge of men and schemes more in the de- 
tail, than by the great result; and hence come rash and 
unjust decisions. 

In the midst of all Napoleon's boasts of uninter- 
rupted victory, one circumstance was ever present to 
contradict him; the barrenness of his conquests! He 
found no pillage, no trophies with which to stimulate 
his soldiers, or to flatter the vanities of his people. He 
had told his troops that they should gather the riches 
of every province they passed over. But, instead of 
satiating themselves with rapine, they found wasted 

R 



130 

lands, and deserted villages. He cheered the disap- 
pointed multitude with the assurance that they should 
indemnify themselves by the wealth of Smolenzk. 
They advanced to its walls, and met only a heap of 
burning ruins. Impatience and discontent now began 
to murmur throughout the French soldiery. Many of 
them remembered the spoils of Italy and of Germany. 
All of them repeated the expectations with which they 
were filled on marching into Russia. Their fatigues 
and dangers were to be? rewarded with the harvests of 
the fields, the wealth of the cities, the treasures of the 
churches, and the abundance of the whole empire 
spread at their feet! Day after day passed away, and 
still no part of these grand promises was performed. 
Every step the French army advanced into the coun- 
try covered the earth with their bleeding bodies; and 
showed to the survivors, nothing but the traces of de- 
struction. 

The effects of the Russian mode of defence were 
seriously felt, even at Vitepsk, by the enemy. Many 
hundreds of his disappointed soldiers deserted to the 
army of Count Vigtenstein; and, it was not without 
the most extraordinary efforts that the French leader 
could check this disposition in his men, so ruinous, 
not only to his present scheme of aggrandisement, 
but to the stability of his power in general. Threats 
of the most tremendous punishments, were denounced 
on the delinquents; and the largest promises reiterated 
to them who would remain faithful. Moscow was 
mamed as the ultimate reward of the patience and per- 



131 

severing courage of his men. From the ancient palaces 
of that imperial city, he pledged himself that they 
should see him stand the dictator of peace or war, 
not only to the whole empire, but to all Europe. The 
glory of his achievement should be his reward; while 
they should find theirs in the accumulated riches of 
ages, the hoarded possessions of princes and nobles, 
the treasuries of the priesthood, and the spoil of the 
people at large. Thus did the genius of desolation hail 
on his myrmidons to follow his steps to the pillage of 
nations, the violation of women, the murder of infants, 
and the carnage of men. 

On the morning of the 20th of August, at about 
one o'clock, the Russians moved from their victorious 
field, and reached Slob-Pneva, a distance of thirty 
wersts, without being molested by even the sight of 
an enemy. In their march they took care to render 
the roads they passed over, impracticable to any who 
might wish to follow them. They destroyed no less 
than five bridges; and took every other precaution to 
impede the progress of the invader. 

On the 19th of August, the rear of the columns of 
the main army had crossed the Boristhenes at the same 
place, leaving a considerable party of light cavalry and 
irregular troops, on the right bank of the river, to keep 
up a communication with Baron Vinzingorode. That 
General had been detached, with eight thousand men, 
to the neighbourhood of DouchofFchina, there to watch 
the motions of the enemy; and be a check on him, in 
case he should be inclined to send a corps from that 



132 

town, in the direction of Bealoy and Zubtzoff, to 
threaten the city of Twer. 

When the first army reached the vicinity of Doro= 
gobouche, the Commander-in-chief took up his ground 
about ten wersts from that city, on the right bank of 
the river Onja, near the village of Ousviat. Here he 
made dispositions to oppose the progress of the enemy, 
should he not have been completely checked by the 
Russian rear guard. 

Prince Bragation had already arrived at Dorogo- 
bouche, but was ordered to resume his march, and to 
form upon Barclay de Tolly's left, close to the village 
of Savino. He was, however, directed to leave a very 
strong detachment, both of cavalry and infantry, on 
the right bank of the Dneiper, before Dorogobouche. 
Major-General Neveroffsky commanded this detach- 
mentc 

On the evening of the 23d of August, the rear 
guards gained the position occupied by the first and 
second armies now united. About three hours after 
this complete junction, very strong parties of the 
enemy were discovered; and their first appearance 
was soon followed by the threatening approach of a 
formidable body towards the Russian left flank. The 
enemy's intention seemed to be to turn this part of 
the imperial line, and so cut off its communication 
with the road on which it might mean to retire. 

The Commander-in-chief having gained the object 
of his waiting, (the arrival of his rear guard,) gave 
orders for the army to move, and fall back upon Do- 



133 

rogobouche. They obeyed, and were at the destined 
place about midnight. Here the ground was found as 
unfavourable, as that the army had just quitted, to 
turn any attack to advantage. Barclay de Tolly, there- 
fore, after strengthening his covering divisions, put 
all into motion again; and marshalling his army into 
three columns, ordered the centre to keep the great 
road towards Semlevo; the right under Bragation, to 
advance to Loujki by the way of Boyan; and the left 
to proceed through Konoushkino to Fanassievo. At 
these points they respectively arrived on the 26th of 
August, and then halted to observe the movements of 
the enemy. 

The corps under Baron Vinzingorode, finding the 
French advancing on them from DouchofFchina, im- 
mediately proceeded to Bealoy, and by occupying that 
place the more effectually secured their communica- 
tion with Twer. They also maintained a free inter- 
change with Wiazma, by the means of a detachment 
of Cossacs, and some regular troops under the com- 
mand of Major-General Krasnoff, who kept a vigilant 
watch over the road. 

After the retreat of the Russian rear- guard the 
enemy lost no time in following its steps. His ad- 
vanced parties found themselves close upon its heels, 
a few wersts from the Ouja; and, the rest of their army 
being in rapid march, they did not doubt but on this 
spot they would make Russia tremble. 

The French came on in three columns. The left 
was composed of the troops of Beauharnois; the cen- 



134 

tre, of those commanded by Marshals Davoust, Ney, 
and Miirat. The right was formed by the corps under 
Prince Poniatofsky. 

Scarcely a shot had been fired for many wersts. 
And, it was not until the covering corps of the Rus- 
sians arrived on the margin of the Osma, (which river 
crosses the main road behind Rouibki), that any fight- 
ing recommenced. But here a party of Murat's cavalry 
furiously charged two battalions of Russian infantry 
which occupied Rouibki, and obliged them to pass 
the river. At the same moment another detachment 
of the rear-guard was attacked at Snamenskoy by a 
superior force; but in spite of their disadvantage they 
maintained the post for several hours, and then, after 
a trifling loss, fell back in good order. 

On the 27th of August the first and second army 
again united near Wiazma, but still the Commander- 
in-chief did not judge the ground suitable to military 
operations. He gave orders that every magazine, and 
every article in the town that might be useful to the 
enemy, should be destroyed. Nearly the whole of its 
inhabitants, on hearing of the fate of Smolenzk, had 
collected their valuables, and like the natives of the 
fallen city, fled for refuge to places more remote from 
the foot of invasion. Flames now appeared in the de- 
populated streets, as another proof to the unsheltered 
French soldiery that they should find no roof of rest 
within the country they had filled with so many cala- 
mities. 

When the Russian rear-guard passed through the 



135 

devoted town, they put the final stroke to the eager 
hopes of their enemy, by destroying the bridges which 
cross the Wiazma river, as it traverses the city in 
three diiferent directions. 

The whole Russian force continued its march upon 
Zarevo-Zalomichi, where Barclay de Tolly command- 
ed his troops to halt, and posted both armies. On his 
left, he occupied Lomouy, and his right was stationed 
before the village of Trakova. He had also a strong 
avant-guard at Mittina, a village about eighteen wersts 
in his front. 

Thus was situated the Russian force, when Barclay 
de Tolly received a courier, announcing to his Ex- 
cellency, that the Prince Golenistsheff KoutousofFwas 
appointed in his stead. Commander-in-chief of the 
whole Imperial army. 



Prince Golenistsheff Koutousoff, whose military life 
has been crowned with the most merited success, was 
now called upon to head his country's heroes, and to 
lead them on to victory and immortal fame. The voice 
of the nation cried aloud for this great Captain again 
to command in that field where he had already gained 
so many laurels. The renewal of his services was 
claimed by the nobility and the people. And, although 
so short a time had elapsed since he sought repose 



136 

after closing with honour the toilsome war on the 
Danube, he was again appointed, by his Imperial 
Majesty Alexander, to assert the rights of the empire, 
and was sent, on the 20th of August, to sustain the 
chief command of the army opposed to Napoleon. 

The demonstration of universal joy, on the know- 
ledge of his appointment being made public, was 
unbounded; and the soldiery were not backward in 
expressing their feelings on the event. Under him 
many thousands of the veterans of the army had often 
been shown the road to victory, and now their hearts 
beat high with the hope of again proving themselves 
worthy the command of such a chief. 

This General was now of an age when, in the usual 
constitution of man, the energies of nature begin to 
feel the effects of a long and care-worn life; but he 
seemed privileged; as if heaven had destined him, to 
his latest hour, to enjoy, for the benefit of his country, 
all the ardours and activity of youth. More than se- 
venty years had passed over his head, years of severe 
service, in which he had been exposed to the most 
trying climates, and to every vicissitude of war, being 
several times dangerously wounded. But with all this, 
the powers of his mind were not lessened, nor the 
strength of his body impaired. 

He arrived from St. Petersburgh at head-quarters, 
on the 29th of August, when the command of the 
army was given up to him. That moment was hailed 
with acclamations by all ranks; and in the confide^ncc 
of his countrymen he received the dearest meed of his 



137 

high military talents, and the perils to which he had 
exposed himself in their use. His predecessor, Barclay 
de Tolly, took the command of a division. 

In Prince KoutousofF's journey from St. Peters- 
burgh he passed through Moscow, where he stopped 
a few hours, and had an interview with the military 
Governor Count Rastapchin. In this conference much 
momentous matter, relative to future measures, was 
settled; and the Governor was requested to hasten the 
reinforcements of new raised militia in the governments 
of Moscow and Kalouga. At this time a valuable corps 
of reserve, under General Miloradovitch, were on their 
march. The Prince directed that the whole should 
proceed upon Mojaisk. 

On the new Commander-in-chief's arrival at the 
Zarevo-Zalomitchi, he found that the Russian posi- 
tion there was very unfavourable for awaiting, to ad- 
vantage, the approach of the enemy. He saw that the 
troops were fatigued, and much weakened in physical 
strength, by their long and harassing marches, and by 
their continued fighting; and aware of the necessity of 
affording them some repose before he should bring 
them to the action he meditated, he put the whole 
army in motion, to seek some place of security where 
they might revive in rest, and await the junction of 
the expected reinforcements. 

On the morning of the 30th of August, Prince 
Koutousoff set his troops in motion. He advanced 
through the city of Gchatz, and halted on the 1st of 
September, in the vicinity of the village of Borodino, 

S 



138 

about twelve wersts from the city of Mojaisk. He was 
now on the great road which leads direct to Moscow. 
On this ground his Excellency determined to form, 
and await the arrival of the enemy. He foresaw that 
longer to defer a battle would be impossible; and that 
he could not find a more advantageous field between 
him and the ancient capital of the empire. He was 
fully aware of what would be the ultimate effect on 
the great cause, of the issue of this first general con- 
test between the Emperor's and the Invader's armies. 
The whole experience of his veteran life, all the de- 
termination of his brave heart, and every exertion of 
exhortation and example were called forth to prepare 
his impatient troops to meet, not only with ardour, 
but wiih unreceding resolution the awful events of the 
expected day. The reinforcements had arrived, con- 
sisting of the militia, commanded by Count MarkofF, 
and the division of regular troops under General 
Miloradovitch, which were intended to recruit the 
regiments of the line that had suffered loss in the late 
affairs. I 

From the time the enemy learnt that the Comman- 
der-in-chief of the Russian army was Prince Koutou- 
soff", he became more circumspect in his movements; 
and, in consequence, the parties of his advance kept 
at a cautious distance from those of the Russian left* 

Nearly five days elapsed before the French leader 
was seen in any force. Prince Koutousoff" omitted not 
to take advantage of the awe with which he had in« 
spired his adversaries; and he employed this time of 



139 

their hesitation in refreshing his troops, equalizing the 
newly arrived, and strengthening with redoubts the 
vulnerable parts of his position. He assembled his 
Generals, and stating to them the dispositions he was 
about to make, found that their confidence was equal 
to his own in the intrepidity of the Russian soldier; 
and that their own examples would not be wanting to 
lead their men to the extremest point of heroic daring. 
The universal feeling declared that the day in which 
they should encounter the concentrated legions of 
France, should be one of immortal glory to Russia. 

The face of the country which surrounded the 
Russian position, was in general flat, but Koutousoff 
had chosen a ground which possessed considerable 
inequalities, and was covered at certain points with 
wood. The Commander-in-chief did not neglect these 
advantages. The village of Borodino is situated near 
the high road; and, at a short distance from it, runs a 
rather deep ravine, through which flows the small 
river Koloya that empties itself into the Moskva at 
three wersts distance. KoutousoflP fixed on this ravine 
as a protection to his right and centre, which were 
under the commands of Barclay de Tolly and Ben- 
ningsen. The Prince's left, given to the resolute 
valour of Bragation, was stationed so as to stretch to 
the village of Semenofka. This post was eminently 
that of danger, its natural position being much less 
secure than that of the right. It was liable to be easily 
turned, by the old road running from Smolenzk to 
Mojaisk. To remedy, as far as circumstances would 



140 

admit, this disadvantage, several redoubts and batte- 
ries were began to be constructed without loss of 
time. Some were to guard the left of the village, 
others were planted along the elevated ground in the 
rear of the line, and one was placed on a detached 
height about the distance of a cannon shot in the front. 
This last work was independent of the others, and 
merely intended to divert and keep the enemy from 
closing suddenly upon the Russian left. Should it be 
taken, the loss would not materially weaken the gene- 
ral strength of the protecting works, nor at all injure 
the great arrangements for the day; on the contrary, 
the seizure of the fort would cost the enemy both 
time, and the lives of many of his troops. 

The army was thus disposed on the 5th of Septem- 
ber. About two o'clock on that day, the enemy was 
seen advancing in great force. The defensive works 
of the Russians were scarcely completed, when the 
French reconnoitering parties were first observed, and 
these were succeeded by such heavy bodies of cavalry 
and infantry moving forward on the enemy's right, 
and opposed to the Russian left, that Koutousoff soon 
discovered hostilities would commence upon his most 
vulnerable quarter. 

Napoleon had reached Wiazma on the 30th of Au- 
gust. His army, continuing its march in three columns, 
passed through Gchatz on the 1st of September. They 
found the place in the same desolated state with the 
other cities, which their invading feet had profaned, 
But ruined as it was, they remained there, and in its 



141 

vicinity, until the 4th of the month. The French 
leader gives as a reason for this halt, that his troops 
had need of repose. But the real cause was his respect 
for the warlike abilities of the Russian Commander- 
in-chief, which obliged him now to consider every 
step that he took. 

On the morning of the 4th, he again moved for- 
ward, and posted himself near the village of Gredniva. 
At dawn, the succeeding day, he pursued the same 
course, and about noon on the 5th, came in sight of 
the Russian lines. Reconnoitering parties were sent 
out in all directions, and their information decided 
Napoleon to do, just what the Russian General wished, 
to commence hostilities by attacking the work in ad- 
vance of Prince Bragation's division. 

The rear-guard of Koutousoif had been confided 
to Lieutenant-General Konovnitzen, and the greater 
part of it was still at some short distance in front of 
the Russian left when the French commenced their 
operations. About two o'clock these troops found 
themselves warmly attacked by the avant-guard of the 
enemy, but they gave it a reception which hotly an- 
swered its charge, till they could fall back, under the 
cover of the redoubt, to the line of Bragation. The 
Commander-in-chief, observing these manoeuvres, 
dispatched a considerable body to strengthen the 
menaced work on the height, and likewise to well 
man the thicket by which it was surrounded. A corps 
of infantry and artillery was posted on the ground be- 
hind, to support their comrades in the redoubt, which 



142 

had not been quite completed, from the hardness of 
the ground impeding the workmen. 

The enemy, with formidable bodies of infantry and 
cavalry, pushed across the little stream of the Kaloya, 
and made their advances towards Bragation's line. 
The redoubt stood in their way; and the attack began 
at this point with fury on their side. It was sustained 
with firmness by the Russians, who looked with intre- 
pid coolness on the consolidated masses of their ene- 
mies advancing towards them with fixed bayonets. 
When the French came within gun-shot, a heavy fire 
from the Russian cannon and musketry in the re- 
doubt, a little checked their impetuosity. The wood 
was also attempted to be carried at the same time. 
Prince Poniatofsky, meanwhile, by a movement con- 
siderably to his right, gained the left of the point in 
dispute, and detached a force in advance, to make an 
assault in that quarter. But they were greeted, as their 
comrades had been, with heavy discharges of artillery 
and small arms. The first party which had been en» 
gaged and repulsed, took heart at the advance of Po- 
niatofsky, and renewed their charge. This double 
attack produced the most desperate resistance, and 
individual acts of valour worthy the brave Prince who 
posted them there. 

The enemy at last gained the unfinished and un- 
palisadoed fosse, and the fight became a contest be- 
tween man and man. Guns were overthrown: the 
cavalry became intermixed indiscriminately with the 
infantry: every soldier met his enemy breast to breast, 



14a 

and grappled together till one or both of them sunk 
oppressed with wounds. Fresh troops arrived to the 
support of each, and the position was lost and retaken 
by Bragation*s soldiers four times. In the midst of 
this carnage, night separated the combatants, and left 
the bloody field in the possession of the enemy. 

The column in reserve had not remained an un- 
moved spectator of this noble defence; but dispatch- 
ing some of its troops, they made several brilliant 
charges, whilst the infantry attacking part of Ponia- 
tofsky's corps, completely succeeded in forcing them 
back, and to leave eight pieces of cannon in the hands 
of the Russians, besides many prisoners. 

On the enemy having succeeded against the re- 
doubt, KoutousofF ordered the left wing to fall back 
nearer to the heights, in order that their covering bat- 
teries might have more power in assisting this division 
should it be attacked next day. 

The whole of the 6th of September was spent by 
both parties in making preparations for the inevitable 
conflict; preparations which appeared rather meant for 
an extirpation than a battle. 

Napoleon, amidst his other dispositions, did not fail 
to turn to advantage his recently acquired possession 
of the redoubt in front of his enemy's left. He cover- 
ed the height on which it stood with artillery, and 
erected, during the night, two other batteries opposite 
the Russian centre. These works contained a hundred 
eannon in each. He also formed batteries on his left, 
which presented a range of four hundred guns ready 



144 

to open at a word. Besides these, detachments of 
artillery were distributed amongst the troops, which 
completed a complement of guns, amounting to more 
than a thousand. This prodigious mass of destructive 
implements, was more than equalled by the magnitude 
of the army with which it was supported. It appear- 
ed to blacken the land, and to stretch even to the 
horizon. 

Having thus strengthened his own left, Napoleon 
directed his chief attention towards the left of his ad- 
versary, which he rightly deemed the least protected 
of his line. In order to make the attack more effectual, 
he brought the great body of his troops, under his 
best Generals, up to his right, for he was well in- 
formed of the brave spirit he had to oppose in Prince 
Bragation, the commander of the division he so for- 
midably menaced. 

Prince Koutousoff was equally prompt. He op- 
posed the preparations which threatened his left, by 
drawing to its support his principal force. This array 
was quickly formed into two lines of infantry, strength- 
ened with artillery, and backed by nearly the whole 
of his cavalry. The squadrons of guards remained in 
reserve between the centre and the left, sustained by 
another division of infantry. At the extremity of the 
position on the left, was a low and thickset wood. In 
this a strong body of light troops, and part of the 
militia of Moscow, were stationed, with orders to act 
on the old Smolenzk road, by attacking the enemy 
on the right and rearj should he endeavour to turn 



145 

the Russian left. While making these dispositions in 
one quarter, this consummate General attended equal- 
ly to every part of the field; and, by his directions, 
the centre received an essential protection by the 
erection of a suite of heavy guns on a straight ridge 
in its vicinity, which was also connected with the 
fortified ground and batteries that covered Bragation's 
army. That Prince also received additional security 
from the completion of another redoubt in his neigh- 
bourhood, of thirty pieces of cannon. 

The day was fast closing, when the veteran hero, 
surrounded by his Generals, passed along the line. 
He had previously ordered the holy picture, so en- 
thusiastically revered, and which had been saved from 
the sacrilegious hands of the enemy at Smolenzk, to 
precede him, borne by the priests of the army. On 
its approach, every head was uncovered, the sacred 
form of the cross waved on the breasts of thousands 
along the extended line, and the most awful silence 
prevailed. Tears fell from the eyes of the soldiery. 
They were not tears of grief, but the tribute of that 
pure religious feeling, which, at times, elevates with 
heavenly emotions even the humblest Russian indivi- 
dual. By these consecrated mementos, the whole 
army inwardly vowed to maintain their country's 
rights to the last drop of their blood; and with one 
impulse they called upon the Divine Being, whose 
image they contemplated, to assist them in overthrow- 
ing their enemies. The feelings of the venerable 
Koutousoff can scarcely be expressed. His brave 

T 



146 

heart beat in true unison with those of his soldiers, 
and he thus addressed them: 

"BROTHERS AND FELLOW SOLDIERS! 

*' Behold before you, in those sacred representations 
of the holy objects of our worship, an appeal which 
calls aloud upon heaven to unite with man against the 
tyrannic troubler of the world. Not content with de- 
facing the image of God, in the persons of millions 
of his creatures; this universal tyrant, this arch-rebel 
to all laws human and divine, breaks into the sanc- 
tuary, pollutes it with blood, overthrows its altars, 
tramples on its rites, and exposes the very ark of the 
Lord, (consecrated in these holy insignia of our 
church), to all the profanations of accident, of the ele- 
ments, and of unsanctified hands. Fear not then, but 
that the God whose altars have been so insulted by 
the very worm his Almighty fiat had raised from the 
dust, fear not that He will not be with you! That He 
will not stretch forth His shield over your ranks; and 
with the sword of Michael fight against His enemies! 

" This is the faith in which I will fight and con- 
quer! This is the faith in which I would fight and fall, 
and still behold the final victory with my dying eyes. 
Soldiers! Do your part. Think on the burning sacri- 
fice of your cities — think of your wives, your chil- 
dren, looking to you for protection — think on your 
Emperor, your lords, regarding you as the sinews of 
their strength;— and, before to-morrow's sun sets, 
write your faith and your fealty on the field of your 



147 

country with the life's blood of the invader and his 
legions!" 

The shout which followed this address, assured 
the veteran that his brave troops only wanted the sig- 
nal to be given, to realize on that spot his most de- 
voted wishes for Russian safety and Russian glory. 



The night passed slowly over the wakeful heads of 
the impatient combatants. The morning of the 7th 
of September at length broke, and thousands beheld 
the dawn for the last time. The moment was arrived 
when the dreadful discharge of two thousand guns 
was to break the silence of expectation, and arouse 
at once all the horrors of war. 

The French give this picture of the opening of the 
day. 

" On the 7th, at two o'clock in the morning, the 
Emperor Napoleon, surrounded by his Marshals, 
appeared on the position taken up the evening before. 
It had then rained, but now the sun rose without 
clouds. It is the sun of Austerlitz! cried the Emperor; 
although but September, it is cold as December in Mo- 
ravia! 

" The army received the omen. The drums beat; 
and the order of the day was issued in these words: 



148 

"SOLDIERS! 

" Before you is the field you have so ardently de- 
sired! The victory depends upon you. It is necessary 
to you. It M'ill give you abundance, good winter 
quarters, and a quick return to your country. Con- 
duct yourselves as when at Austerlitz, at Friedland, 
at Vitepsk, at Smolenzk, and the latest posterity will 
cite with pride your conduct on this day. They will 
say, He was in that great battle under the walls of 
MoscowP^ 

The cloudless sun, just described by Buonaparte, 
soon became enveloped in thick vapours; a circum- 
stance greatly to his advantage, since the work of 
death was to be begun by him, and the shadows of 
an indistinct light were favourable to his plan. He 
did not lose an instant, under cover of this veil, of 
putting it in execution. The Generals of his vast 
army (which amounted to one hundred and forty 
thousand men) were all in possession of his commands; 
and ready, at the signal, to obey them. 

At four o'clock in the morning, the divisions under 
Marshals Davoust and Prince Poniatofsky advanced, 
skirting the wood on which rested the left of the Rus- 
sian army. At six o'clock they commenced the at- 
tack, supported by seventy pieces of cannon. A dis- 
charge of musketry, on both sides, succeeded. They 
were rapidly repeated; and their vollies were soon ac- 
companied with the loud roaring of a heavy fire from 
the redoubt which the French had gained the evening 



149 

before. While the battle was thus opened on the Rus- 
sian left, the division of Marshal Ney bore down in a 
solid column upon the centre, covering his move- 
ments with the active service of a battery of sixty 
guns. Beauharnois, at the same time, made the battle 
general, by closing upon the troops on the right, 
which occupied Borodino. 

Koutousoff's line was firm, and well protected by 
its strengthened heights. The plans of attack and de- 
fence were simple; and it was soon seen that the day 
was to be won, more by undaunted courage than skil- 
ful manoeuvre. Where the powers of the head are 
equal in a contest, the victory must depend on the 
superiority of heart. 

General as the attack seemed, the corps of Prince 
Bragation had to sustain the accumulating weight of 
nearly half the French army; and the determination 
shown by its cavalry was so desperate that they 
charged even up to the very mouths of the Russian 
guns. Whole regiments of them, both horses and 
men, were swept down by the cannon shot; and all 
along the front of Bragation's line rose a breast- work 
of dead and dying. 

Napoleon, finding that although he had continued 
the attack for upwards of three hours, he was not yet 
able to make an impression, ordered up fifty addi- 
tional pieces of artillery, and a fresh division of in- 
fantry, with several regiments of dragoons, under 
Count Calincourt and Murat. This new force rushed 
on over the bodies of their fallen countrymen, and 



150 

did not allow themselves to be checked until they 
had reached the very parapets of the Russian works. 
Their vigorous onset overturned, with fierce slaugh- 
ter, every thing that opposed them, and obliged Bra- 
gation to fall back nearer to the second line of the 
army. 

Buonaparte, seeing the Russians compelled to this 
movement, determined to make it decisive of the for- 
tune of the day, by immediately bringing forward his 
right, and turning the few guns he had found on this 
part of the entrenchments upon their former masters. 
He also added to their strength by replacing those 
which Bragation, on finding his line so overpower- 
ingly pushed by numbers, had taken off with his re- 
tiring troops. 

Koutousoff, seeing his left so dangerously pressed, 
sent forward a formidable reinforcement from his 
second line, to support the dauntless front which 
Bragation still presented to the enemy. With this aid, 
which chiefly consisted of grenadiers from the reserve, 
and a body of cavalry composed of hulans and cui- 
rassiers, the brave Prince advanced rapidly towards 
the ground so lately wrested from him, and which he 
was determined to regain. The French observed his 
movement, and poured the thunder of their artillery 
upon the intrepid breasts of the Russian onset. But 
the spirit of their leader seemed to animate every 
heart, and urge them onward in spite of the roar of 
death which met their advancing steps. Again they 
were on the disputed ground; and the fortified line. 



151 

and a large redoubt became the theatre of battle. The 
contest was close, desperate, and sanguinary. There 
seemed but one resolution between the combatants, 
never to cease the strife till one or both should sink 
in the embrace of death. At this crisis, the militia 
and light troops under Touchkoff, were ordered to 
show themselves. These faithful patriots rushed from 
their ambush to second their brothers in arms, and 
and fell like lions on their prey. The pikes and hatch- 
ets of this newly-raised soldiery, were exerted with 
such fury and effect, that the carnage they made 
amongst the enemies of their country appeared more 
a sudden desolation from an invisible hand, than the 
deeds of human agency. 

This tremendous scene did not last long. The 
French gave way; and Napoleon had the mortification 
of beholding the choicest of his troops driven from 
their late acquired conquest, with immense loss, and 
in great confusion and dismay. 

Whilst this field of blood was exhibited from the 
Russian left to the centre, the right had its share also 
of the horrors of war. Beauharnois, supported by the 
division of Morand, had attempted to turn it, by tak- 
ing possession of Borodino. He also made an essay 
to carry the two redoubts which protected it; but 
both efforts were vain. He was driven back at all 
points; and finding no possibility of success, after sus- 
taining a great loss, abandoned the idea of renewing 
the attack. 

This despair of the enemy with regard to the Hus- 



152 

sian right, enabled KoutonsofF to withdraw part of its 
forces, to assist the Imperial guards, with hussars and 
other cavalry, to reinforce his centre. 

The rage of battle at this crisis was not to be de- 
scribed. The thunder of a thousand pieces of artillery 
was answered by the discharge of an equal number 
on the part of the Russians. A veil of smoke shut out 
the combatants from the sun, and left them no other 
light to pursue their work of death, than the flashes 
of the musketry which blazed in every direction. The 
sabres of forty thousand dragoons met each other, and 
clashed in the horrid gloom; and the bristling points 
of countless bayonets, bursting through the rolling 
vapour, strewed the earth with heaps of slain. 

Such was the scene for an extent of many wersts! 
and the dreadful contest continued without cessation, 
until the darkness of night, deepening the clouds of 
war, the enemy, discomfited in every quarter, took 
advantage of the double obscurity, and drew off from 
the ground. When no object remained visible, the 
groans of the dying marked to the victorious Rus- 
sians the extent of the disputed field. As they planted 
their night watches, they found at every step full proof 
that hereafter the renowned days of Preussich, Eylau, 
and Wagram, sanguinary as they were, must ever 
cede in blood and horror to the Battle of Borodino. 

Thus closed that memorable day, and with it ter- 
minated the lives of eighty thousand human beings. 
Hitherto the annals of modern military achievements 
have never detailed so terrible a slaughter. Well 



153 

might Buonaparte exclaim as as he abandoned the 
field, " Jamais on n'a vu pareii champ de bataille." 

The loss on both sides was immense. And the scene 
of triumph, even to the conquerors, presented a tre- 
mendous spectacle. The ground, covered with the 
dead bodies of men and horses, scattered arms, dis- 
mounted guns, and pieces of artillery left to the vic- 
tors, offered every uhere to the eye the wreck of what 
might alone have composed a great army. 

While the veteran Koutousoff rejoiced in this ac- 
cession to the glory of his country, he had to regret 
the expence at which it had been purchased. Many 
excellent officers had fallen, and, in the foremost rank, 
the inestimable Prince Bragation^His left leg had 
been completely shattered by a ball, in one of the 
most critical junctures of the battle; and, though 
mortally wounded, like our own immortal Wolfe, he 
refused to be removed from the tield until victory 
was declared for the great cause in which he shed his 
blood, with this gallant Prince fell other brave spirits 
worthy to accompany his to paradise; and, amongst 
the most conspicuous in that day's contest, were the 
Lieutenant-Generals Touchkoff, Garchikolf, and Ko- 
novitzenj 

In the number of dangerously, though not mortally, 
wounded, were found Major-Generals Backmetioff, 
Kretoff, and Rajefsky, whose respective actions claim- 
ed the gratitude of their country. Major- General 
Count VorronzofF also, received a severe bayonet 
wound whilst intrepidly leading forward a battalion 

U 



154 

of grenadiers to the charge. A great number of of- 
ficers of mferior ranks, bled on this fearful day; and, on 
the whole, no fewer than thirty thousand men could 
have fallen, killed and wounded, on the side of Russia. 
The French loss must have amounted to something 
beyond fifty thousand. The horses which lay on the 
ground from right to left, numbered full five-and- 
twenty thousand. This wide destruction cost both 
armies nearly the whole of their ammunition. The 
enemy states himself, that he discharged sixty thou- 
sand cartridges from his guns; and if Koutouboff an- 
swered them in the same proportion, one hundred 
and twenty thousand balls must have been hurled 
that day in the work of death, on the field of Boro- 
dino. 

Buonaparte lost amongst his killed, the Generals 
Calincourt and Monibrun. Twelve other Generals 
were dangerously wounded; and one left a prisoner 
in the hands of the Russians, with five thousand sol- 
diers, and thirty pieces of cannon in his train! 

The details given by the enemy, of this battle, are, 
as usual, fraught with incorrectness and falsehood. 
After being obliged to leave the field, and to pursue 
a rapid retreat without once halting, till he had reached 
the distance of twelve wersts from the victorious Kou- 
tousofF, Napoleon has the effrontery thus to claim the 
laurels of the day; 

" At two o'clock (says he) all hopes of success 
were abandoned by the Russians. The battle was 



155 

ended. It is true the cannonade continued; but their 
object was changed. They now fought for safety and 
retreat — no longer for victory." 

With the earliest dawn PlatofF was dispatched with 
his Cossacs in pursuit of the fugitives; but his com- 
mission was rather to harass and observe them, than 
to make any serious attack. The Russian troops were 
too much fatigued by the toil of their victory, to allow 
of a fiercer following up of their success at this mo- 
ment; and while the French fled, and the Cossacs pur- 
sued, Koutousoff employed himself in repairing the 
losses of his army, and rewarding with his praise the 
valour of its heroes. 

The general glory of the day, and the merits of 
each regiment, and individual soldier, by which it 
was achieved, were faithfully detailed by the Com- 
mander-in-chief in his dispatch to the Emperor Alex- 
ander. By a happy coincidence, the officer bearing the 
news arrived at St. Petersburgh on the anniversary of 
the Emperor's birth-day- He was told that the Impe- 
rial family were at their devotions in the Great Cathe- 
dral. He hurried thither; and presented his glad tidings 
to his Sovereign at the very moment when the Te 
Deum for the birth of that Sovereign was resounding 
through the church. Alexander read the report with 
acclamations of gratitude to heaven; and the victory 
being publicly declared, the Te Deum was again 
chanted, but every voice now united in the strain 
which gave glory to the God who had fought for 



156 

Russia, and covered her people with immortal ho- 
nours. 

The gracious disposition of the Emperor was not 
satisfied with barely expressing to the commander-in- 
chief his admiration of the prowess of the Russian 
patriots on the day of Borodino: but he commanded 
that his thanks should be given to the whole army; 
that badges of merit, to bear evidence to future gene- 
rations, of the daundess bravery of each individual 
present, should be distributed along the lines. Medals 
to the soldiery; and to the officers of higher ranks, 
swords of honour, crosses, and stars, and orders of 
knighthood. To the Commander-in-chief, the Empe- 
ror addressed the most affectionate acknowledgments, 
of his glorious perseverance and consummate skill, in 
defeating an enemy who had hitherto deemed himself 
above all human power. The Imperial Alexander 
added to these marks of honour, the rank of Field- 
marshal to Prince Koutousoff, with the addition of a 
hundred thousand roubles; and to each private soldier 
who had shared in the glories of that day, he gave a 
largess of five roubles. 

Thus were they rewarded who survived the hard- 
fought field. But for them who, with the brave Bra- 
gation, had laid down their laurelled heads in the dust 
of conquest and of death; for them, the tears of the 
Emperor flowed: and with him the nation wept, chas- 
tening their joy in victory, with the regrets due to the 
heroes who had given their lives for its purchase. 



157 



Great as was the advantage gained by the Russian 
arms in the field of Borodino, their Commander-in- 
chief only regarded it as the opening of a long day of 
military labours; and though he allowed his troops to 
refresh themselves during the intervals of toil, he saw 
the hour of rest was far distant, and they thought not 
of repose. With spirits alert, and the unsheathed blade 
still in their hands, they followed their magnanimous 
leader through every exertion in the cause of their 
country; and awaited with vigilant impatience the mo- 
ment when their ranks would be restored to sufficient 
strength to overthrow the new bodies of the eneni)^ 
which now threatened to approach their lines. 

Report informed Koutousoff that Napoleon had been 
reinforced with ten battalions of infantry, many regi- 
ments of cavalry, several hundred carts of ammuni- 
tion, and much artillery. The most formidable part of 
this army was directing its march towards the position 
of the Russian Commander-in-chief, while other de- 
tachments were filing off" to its left to Zwenigorod, 
leading to Moscow. The Russian parties in advance 
brought this intelligence; and Koutousoff", not having 
yet received the reinforcements he expected from 
Toula and Kalouga, forebore to press forward with 
an open front to check the French; who he heard were 
moving towards the road that crosses the country to 



158 

Veria and Borosk. To prevent these movements 
hemming in his flanks, he thought it well to retire on 
the Moscow road; and giving the necessary commands 
to his victorious Russians, they marched on in excel- 
lent order towards their ancient capital. Disdainful of 
a moment's repose while aught was yet to be done, 
they passed direct through the city; and turning to 
the right, by a rapid and masterly march, took up an 
advantageous position on the Kalouga road, not far 
from Podol. 

By this movement, so little understood by the 
world at that time, the road to the old capital became 
entirely open to the enemy. The snare was laid, and 
the prey was not long in rushing into the toil. 

Napoleon pursued the path of Koutousoffas far as 
the gates of Moscow, and halted before them about 
noon on the 14th of September. 

Various opinions were formed, even in Russia, of 
this situation of afl'airs; but none withdrew their con- 
fidence in the integrity of the Commander-in-chief. 
Steady in one principle of action, he gave this expla- 
nation to his emperor of a movement, which divided 
the empire between astonishment and admiration. 

« SIRE! 

" After the hard-fought day, and glorious victory 
of the 26th of August, O. S. (7th of September, 
N. S.) I judged it necessary to quit my position near 
Borodino. Some of my reasons for making this move- 
ment I have already had the honour of communicating 



isr' 159 

to your Imperial Majesty; and I shall now add another, 
m the comparatively enfeebled state of the army after 
a battle in which every individual contended with the 
brave resolution of conquering or of dying. Many fell 
in the conflict; and the wounds and fatigues of the 
survivors, though embalmed with the laurels of vic- 
tory, rendered the hazard of another battle in their 
weakened situation, and with a reinforced enemy, an 
enterprize not of courage but of folly. To avoid such 
a rencontre I changed my position, and turned towards 
Moscow. During my march daily skirmishes took 
place between the troops and the enemy's advanced 
guard; but no vantage ground presenting itself in the 
short distance that separates the capital from Borodi- 
no, and my expected reinforcements not having come 
up, I still avoided a general attack, and proceeded on 
my way. 

" At this time I learnt that the enemy bad sent on 
two strong columns of fresh troops, the one by the 
road of Borosk, and the other by that of Zwenigorod, 
to act on our rear on the side of Moscow. To seek a 
battle under these disadvantages, would have been an 
useless prodigality of blood, and exposure of my brave 
troops to the disgrace of an overthrow. The risque, 
on my part, would have been unpardonable; for, 
though the reinforced army of Napoleon would now 
have counted more than double our numbers, yet in 
defeat there is ever a sense of dishonour as well as of 
inferiority: and, how far would I not lead the Russian 
soldier from any chance of incurring this appalling 



160 

feeling! Besides, to be beaten before the walls of 
Moscow, would expose the city to the lawless en- 
trance of the triumphant enemy; and its riches and 
its towers would become the strength of Buonaparte! 

" Foreseeing this, I held a consultation with my 
ablest Generals. I imparted to them what I anticipated 
must accrue from the relative state of the two armies; 
I informed them of the alternative^ between loyalty to 
their country and vassalage to the invader, which had 
been decided on in case of extremity by the noble 
inhabitants of the ancient city of the Tzars. I offered 
my opinion on these facts. Some of my Generals dis- 
sented from me; but most agreed with my advice; and 
we determined to allow the enemy to enter Moscow! 

*' Aware of the expediency of this measure, all ex- 
pedition had been previously made to remove to a 
place of safety the contents of the arsenal, and the 
treasures of the city, both public and private. With 
their property, most of the people departed; and Mos- 
cow was left a mere desert of walls and houses, with- 
out an inhabitant. Call to mind what the human body 
is when deserted by the soul! So is Moscow when 
abandoned by its citizens. The soul of an empire is 
its people; and wherever they are, there is Moscow, 
there is the empire of Russia. Hence, I boldly assure 
your most Gracious Majesty, that the entrance of the 
French into Moscow is not the conquest of Russia^ 
is not the subjugation of the capital of the Tzars. 

" I do not deny that the desperate alternative of 
sacrificing the venerable city of our ancestors, is a 



161 

wound to all our hearts, is a stroke that must pierce 
every Russian breast with unutterable regrets; but 
then it is a city for an empire; the immolation of a 
part to save the whole. 

" Already it affords me the means of preserving my 
army entire. I possess the Toula road; and cover, 
with the extended line of my troops, the store-house 
of our resources, the abundant provinces of the em- 
pire, which furnish our armies with their flocks and 
their harvests. Had I taken any other position, or per= 
sisted in maintaining Moscow, I must have abandon- 
ed these provinces to the enemy, and the consequence 
would have been the destruction of my army and the 
loss of the empire. 

" Now, I hold an unmolested communication with 
the armies of Tormozoff and Tchitchagoff; and am 
enabled to form a chain of union with my whole force, 
that empowers me, beginning from the Toula and 
Kalouga roads, to completely intersect the enemy's 
line of operations, which stretches from Smolenzk to 
Moscow. By this advantage I cut off every succour 
he may have in his rear; and, hope to compel him in 
the end to quit the capital, and to humble the proud 
direction of his plans. 

" Meanwhile, General Vinzingorode has received 
my orders to occupy Twer; and, at the same time to 
place a regiment of Cossacs on the road leading to 
Yarraslaff, to protect the inhabitants of that city from 
the incursions of the enemy's flying parties. For 
myself, stationed, as I before described, between the 

X 



162 

enemy and the fertile provinces, and at a short dis- 
tance from Moscow, I watch his movements, and 
guard the resources of the empire: for, I must repeat, 
that as long as the army of your Imperial Majesty 
exists, (and it will exist as long as there is a Russian 
alive to defend his country!) the loss of Moscow is not 
the loss of the empire! The invader will be compelled 
to evacuate the capital of the Tzars. Its ruins will be 
repaired, and the glory of the empire brightened by 
the very attempts that have been made to extinguish 
its existence. 

«« Dated fronx the village of Gilino, Sept. 4th, O. Si 1812. 

Sept. 16th, N. S. 1812." 

This communication made the plans of the Com- 
mander-in-chief clear to the Emperor. The people at 
large regarded the present measures with various sen- 
timents. Those who entered into the veteran's councils 
admired his consummate skill as a General; and those 
who knew them not, confiding in his character, await- 
ed with wondering suspense the result of movements 
so far beyond their comprehension. 

The information that Moscow was in the possession 
of the enemy, at its first report certainly struck horror 
into every breast. There is a principle of respect, a 
kind of filial attachment, which the Russian feels for 
all that is connected with his ancestors. To see, there- 
fore, the most venerable of their cities, the capital of 
the Tzars, and the residence of the descendants of 
their oldest princes; to see this place in the hands of 



363 

a foreign power, was more than the people could 
bear with patience. They felt indignation, not despair, 
at the usurpation; and as a sense of the insult pressed 
upon their minds, their courage rose in strength and 
greatness, and they who in tranquil times seemed but 
common men, in the season of conflict showed them- 
selves heroes. 

The Emperor, in unison with these feelings, and 
to encourage the patriotism of his subjects, by com- 
municating to them the answering sentiments of his 
own soul, ordered the following declaration to be dis- 
tributed throughout the empire: 

" Moscow was entered by the enemy on the 3d of 
September, O. S (the 15th, N. S.) At this intelli- 
gence it miglit be expected that consternation would 
appear in every countenance; but far from us be such 
pusillanimous despondency! Rather, let us swear to 
redouble our perseverance and our resolution; let us 
hope that fighting in a just cause, we shall hurl back 
upon the enemy all the evil with which he seeks to 
overwhelm us. Moscow indeed is occupied by French 
troops; but it has not become theirs in consequence 
of their having destroyed our armies. The Com- 
mander-in-chief, in concert with the most distinguish-- 
ed of our Generals, has deemed it wisest to bend for 
a moment to necessity. He recoils, only to give ad= 
ditional force to the weight with which he will fall 
on our enemy. Thus will the short triumph of the 
French leader lead to his inevitable destruction. 



164 

" We know that it is painful to every true heart in 
Russia, to see the desolators of their country in the 
ancient capital of the empire. But its walls alone, 
have been suffered to fall into his hands. Deserted 
by its inhabitants, and dispossessed of its treasures, it 
offers a tomb, rather than a dwelling place, to the 
ruthless invader, who would there plant a new throne 
on the ruins of the empire. 

" This proud devastator of kingdoms, on his en- 
trance into Moscow, hoped to become the arbiter of 
our fates, and to prescribe peace to us upon his own 
terms. But the expectation is fallacious. He finds in 
Moscow, not only no means for domination, but no 
means of existence. Our forces, already surrounding 
Moscow, and to which every day is bringing acces- 
sion, will occupy all the roads, and destroy every 
detachment the enemy may send forth in search of 
provisions. Thus will he be fatally convinced of his 
error in calculating that the possession of Moscow 
would be the conquest of the empire; and necessity 
will at last obhge him to fly from famine, through the 
closing ranks of our intrepid army. 

" Behold the state of the enemy. He has entered 
Russia at the head of an army of three hundred thou- 
sand men. But whence do they come? Have they any 
natural union with his aggrandisement? No; the great- 
er number of them are of different nations who serve 
him, not from personal attachment, not for the ho- 
nour of their native land, but from a base and shame- 
ful fear. The disorganizing principle, in such a mix- 



165 

ture of people, has been already proved. One half 
of the invader's army, thus made up of troops that 
have no natural boRd of union, has been destroyed; 
some part, by the valour of our soldiers; another, by 
desertion, sickness, and famine; and, the miserable 
remainc/,i- is at Moscow. 

" Without doubt, the bold, or rather, it should be 
called, rash enterprise of penetrating into the bosom 
of Russia; nay, of occupying its ancient capital; feeds 
the pride of the supposed conqueror: but IT IS THE 
END WHICH CROWNS ALL! 

*' He has not yet penetrated into a country where 
one of his actions has diffused terror, or brought a 
single Russian to his feet. Russia clings to the pater- 
nal throne of a sovereign, who stretches over her the 
suardian arms of affection: she is not accustomed 
to the yoke of oppression: she will not endure sub- 
jection to a foreign power. She will never surrender 
the treasure of her laws, her religion, and her inde 
pendence; and we will shed all our blood in their 
defence! This principle is ardent and universal; and 
is manifested in the prompt and voluntary organiza- 
tion of the people under the sacred banner of patriot- 
ism. Protected by such an aegis, who is it that yields 
to degrading apprehension? Is there an individual in 
the empire so abject as to despond, when vengeance 
is breathed by every order of the state? When the 
enemy, deprived of all his resources, and exhausting 
his strength from day to day, sees himself in the midst 
of a powerful nation, encircled by her armies; one of 
which menaces him in front, and the other three watch 



166 

to intercept the arrival of ^succours, and to prevent 
his escape? Is this an object bf alarm to any true-born 
Russian? When Spain has broken her bonds, and 
advances to threaten the integrity ot the French em- 
pire? When the greatest part of Europe, degraded 
and despoiled by the French Ruler, serves »,lin with 
a revolting heart, and fixing her eyes upon us, awaits 
with impatience the signal for universal freedom! 
When even France herself wishes in vain, and dares 
not anticipate an end to the bloody war whose only 
motive is boundless ambition! When the oppressed 
world looks to us for an example and a stimulus, 
shall we shrink from the high commission? No; we 
bow before the hand that anoints us to be the leaders 
of the nations in the cause of freedom and of virtue. 

" Surely the afflictions of the human race have at 
length reached their utmost point! We have only to 
look round us on this spot, to behold the calamities 
of war, and the cruelties of ambition in their extrem- 
est horrors. But we brave them for our liberties; we 
brave them for mankind. We feel the blessed con- 
sciousness of acting right, and that immortal honour 
must be the meed of a nation who, by enduring the 
evils of a ruthless war and determinately resisting 
their perpetrator, compels a durable peace, not only 
for itself, but for the unhappy countries the tyrant had 
forced to fight in his cause! It is noble, it is worthy 
a great people, thus to return good for evil. 

" All-powerful God! The cause for which we fight, 
is it not just? Look down then with an eye of mercy 



167 

upon thy sacred church! Preserve the strength and 
the constancy of thy people! May they triumph over 
their adversary and thine! May they be instruments 
in thy hand for his destruction! and, in rescuing them- 
selves, may they rescue the liberty and the indepen- 
dence of nations and of kings! 

(Signed) "Alexander." 



Moscow, whose magnificence and hospitality had 
for ages been the admiration of Europe; she who had 
given laws to conquerors and seen nations suing to 
her for protection; she was fated to be trodden under 
foot, by a man of obscure birth; by a self-crowned 
despot, raised by his own daring spirit to the throne 
of Charlemagne. Not content with the power annexed 
to one diadem, his insatiable ambition hurried him 
from West to East, from South to North, to trample 
on the rights of sovereigns, and to make the liberties 
of every people his prey. The extended territories of 
Russia, the capital of her vast empire, excited his 
avidity; and spreading desolation in his path, he en- 
tered the city of the Tzars. The palaces and the peo- 
ple at once disappeared; and the scene became one 
spectacle of murder, devastation, and famine. 

From the day on which his Imperial Majesty had 
%'isited the ancient seat of his empire, to summon, 



168 

from the throne of his ancestors, his subjects to give 
their utmost support against the unparalleled aggres- 
sions of this war, Count Rastapchin, the military 
governor of the city, was unremitting in his labours 
to prepare for the worst. He armed, and organised 
every class of individuals, and issued timely orders 
for theremoval of every thing in the capital that might 
be an acceptable spoil to the enemy. The archives of 
the empire and the nobility, the treasures of the Krem- 
lin, and of the public institutions, were taken to places 
of safety. He likewise recommended to the princes, 
and other nobles resident in Moscow, that they should 
transport their valuables to a distance; and so, in case 
of disaster putting the city into the hands of the ene- 
my, he might derive no advantage from his conquest* 
The destruction of Smolenzk had filled many of the 
inhabitants of Moscow with apprehensions for the fate 
of the objects dearest to them; and they lost no time 
in dispatching their wives and families to distant pro= 
vinces, while they themselves remained, determined 
to stand by the tombs of their fathers to the last gasp 
of their lives. Count Rastapchin, whose intrepidity 
and personal sacrifices reflect so much honour on his 
patriotism, left nothing unsaid, or example untried, 
that might impart confidence to these disinterested 
men. While he frankly acknowledged the situation in 
which the city stood, he declared there was no cause 
for immediate apprehension; but he pledged himself 
that should it be imminently endangered, he would 
lose not a moment in giving full intimation to the in- 



169 

habitants. The feeble, from age and sex, might then 
retire to refuge; while he hoped the citizen, yet strong 
in manhood, would not require a second call to range 
himself under the banners of his sovereign, and to 
join the heroes who were resolved to repel the invader, 
or to die in the contest. 

During these preparations in the Imperial city, the 
French continued to advance. They arrived at Doro- 
gobouche, Wiazma, and Gchatz, and was even heard 
of on their way to Mojaisk. The effect of this intelli- 
gence, in spite of the precautionary encouragements of 
Rastapchin, infused an alarming panic into the women, 
and weaker characters amongst the people of Moscow. 
A thousand exaggerated reports were spread abroad, 
a thousand idle stories were invented to increase the 
dismay of the fearful; which at last became so dan- 
gerous as to demand a scrutiny; and then it was dis- 
covered that, notwithstanding the vigilance of the 
police, a band of secret emissaries from the invader 
had insinuated themselves into the circles of the capi- 
tal, and were the primary sources of these appalling 
fictions. The traitors were seized, and sent to repent 
of their treachery in Siberia; while the people, who 
had been terrified by their representations, either with* 
drew to distant cities, or reposed themselves on the 
word of the Governor, to acquaint them whenever 
danger should really approach. 

The happy appointment of Prince KoutousofF to be 
Commander-in-chief, supported the encouraging pro» 

Y 



170 

miscs of Rastapchin, and awakened double confidence 
in the people. 

The battle of Borodino was fought, and the victory 
won; but it was a victory drenched in blood; it was a 
victory that pointed from steep to steep: terrible were 
the perils yet to overcome. The preservation of the ,ia 
empire depended on one great decision. The onward 
path, in the judgment of most opinions, lay in main- * 
taining the possession of Moscow. KoutousofF found 
few to coincide with his alternative; but he had the 
magnanimity to throw his whole reputation, the re- 
nown of seventy years, into the scale of his country; 
and he resolved on sacrificing the capital of the Tzars, 
to the preservation of their empire. 

Dispatches to this effect were sent to Count Ras- 
tapchin. 

The fatal news spread through the whole town. No- 
thing can paint the confusion and distressing scenes 
which ensued. The houses echoed with shrieks and 
groans. Mothers and wives were separating them- 
selves from their sons and husbands, who were de- 
termined to follow the steps of their Governor, or to 
abide in their native city while one stone remained on 
another. Children were weeping their last adieus to 
their fathers; and the sick and the aged refused to be 
carried away, to die far distant from their paternal 
altars and their parents' tombs. The streets and the 
avenues were crowded with carts and carriages of all 
descriptions, filled with old and young; some lying 
prostrate, in insensibility after the struggles of sep;i- 



171 

ration; and others making the air re-echo with their 
cries against the tyrant whose invasion divorced them 
from their homes. Many thousand wretched beings 
who had not such means of seeking safety, were com- 
pelled to fly on foot from the expected advance of the 
pitiless foe. The so lately happy city of Moscow, now 
poured forth from her agonised bosom weeping mul- 
titudes of her desolate children. Some fled to friends 
at a distance; others knew not where to go, but sought 
a refuge from the enemy, in the compasssionate cha- 
rity of the neighbouring provinces. Many turned on 
their steps; some women, clinging to the objects of 
their tenderest vows, found it impossible to desert the 
spot which they staid to defend; and many old men, tot- 
tered back to their paternal sheds, exclaiming, " where 
we were born and nourished, there will we lay us down 
and die!" 

The final orders of the Military Governor were 
given. In vain he besought the remnant of the inha- 
bitants he still saw, to accompany his march; they 
wept their refusal, but were firm; and, the cause of his 
country forbidding his longer delay, he made the sig- 
nal, and, at the head of forty thousand brave citizens, 
completely armed, he quitted the city to join the army 
of the Commander-in-chief. 

The few who now remained, and had strength to 
assemble in one spot; the feeble from age, and the 
tender from affection, the devoted patriot, and the 
desperate avenger; they met in a little band, deter- 
mined to expire in the flames of the city, rather than 



172 

behold its sacred towers become the bulwarks of the 
assassins who had desolated their homes and murder- 
ed their peace. 

On the 14th of September, at mid-day, the enemy 
appeared before the walls of Moscow. His advanced 
guard, under the command of Murat and Beauhar- 
nois, entered the gates with all the pride and pomp of 
conquest. The troops moved towards the Kremlin. A 
part of the self-devoted citizens had taken refuge 
there; and, closing the gates, desperately attempted 
its defence by a discharge of their muskets. Feeble 
were barriers of stone and iron against a host: the 
gates were instantly forced, and the brave victims of 
patriotism massacred upon the floors of their ancient 
fortress. 

Scarcely had the murderous act been perpetrated, 
when the pyres of loyalty were lighted, and Moscow 
appeared at different quarters in flames. The French 
troops, as they poured into the devoted city, had 
spread themselves in every direction in search of plun- 
der; and in their progress they committed outrages so 
horrid on the persons of all whom they discovered, 
that fathers, desperate to save their children from pol- 
lution, would set fire to their place of refuge, and find 
a surer asylum in its flames. 

The streets, the houses, the cellars, flowed with 
blood, and were filled with violation and carnage. 
Manhood seemed to be lost in the French soldier; for 
nothing was to be discerned in him but the wild beast 
ravening for prey; or rather the fiend of hell, glutten-^ 



173 

ing himself in the commission of every horrible crime» 
The fires lit by the wantonness of these marauders, 
mingled with the burning sacrifices of the expiring 
people; and the ruflians passed like demons through 
the flames, sacking private dwellings, and public re- 
positories, and when these yielded no more, they 
turned their sacrilegious steps to the pillage of the 
churches. The horrors of Smolenzk were re-acted in 
the sanctuaries of Moscow. Altars were again soiled 
with blood; sacred vessels broken and carried away; 
the relics of saints profaned; and even the dead dis- 
turbed, in search of hidden treasures. 

Whilst these enormities were committing, Buona- 
parte remained at the barrier leading to the Smolenzk 
road, impatiently awaiting the circumstance which he 
had determined should precede his triumphant entry 
into Moscow. He deferred that pompous ceremony 
until the authorities of the city should arrive in depu- 
tation to invite his entrance! He looked again and 
again towards its walls; all seemed busy there, but 
nothing presented itself in the form he expected. The 
afternoon came, and yet no person appeared. He then 
took the resolution of sending a Polish General into 
the town, to suggest to the citizens the desired depu- 
tation. The General proceeded on his errand; and 
enquiring his way of a resident foreigner whom 
chance brought in his path, he was conducted by this 
stranger to the palace which had been the seat of 
government; then to the police-office,' and afterwards 
to the house of the Governor-general. In short he 



174 

made his guide lead him to every place where he 
might have any expectation of meeting a public func- 
tionary; but the search was in vain. He returned to 
Napoleon with the information, that no legal authori- 
ties remained in Moscow; that the city was already a 
desert, and would soon be a heap of ruins. This was 
the first time that the tyrant's expectations had been 
disappointed in the homage he anticipated from a 
captive city. No farce of a deputation, no keys pre- 
sented, 'no plaudits of the moderation of the conque- 
ror, were offered to the advancing Caesar! Not one 
shadow of respect presented itself, worthy a Bulletin 
or a Moniteur! However, the invader of Russia would 
not quite relinquish his preposterous hopes. He flat- 
tered himself that on the next day the resident 
foreigners at least, would collect some of the terrified 
natives, and uniting themselves with them in the 
form of a representation of the city, would furnish 
him with some materials for publishing a triumph. 
In this expectation he took up his quarters for that 
night in the Petrofsky palace, about a mile from the 
St. Petersburgh barrier. The wished-for morning 
broke, the noon succeeded it, and still no trace of a 
coming deputation could be discerned. Incensed at 
this double disappointment, he at last gave up the ex- 
pectation; and, giving orders for his guard to proceed, 
he entered the town in sullen silence. Without the 
beating of drums, the discharge of cannon, or any of 
the parade with which he usually gratified the pride 
of his army, he took possession of the capital of the 



175 

Tzars! The feelings attending the accomplishment 
of this long- anticipated enterprise, were like those of 
Satan on the destruction of Paradise. The fiend was 
received with hisses by his damned crewj and the 
desolator of Russia found no other acclaim, even 
from his own followers, than the shrieks of the un- 
happy victims they were immolating to their fury. 

He repaired to the Kremlin; and taking possession 
of the great fortress of the empire, with every venge- 
ful passion threatening from his countenance, he cal- 
led around him his most confidential officers, and 
expressed to them his indignation at the manner he 
had been received. These base sateUites, taking their 
tone from his rage, enlarged on the opposition his 
soldiers had to quell in the town; and pronounced the 
noble contempt with which the few remaining inhabi- 
tants had treated their master, as an affront that de- 
manded the most exemplary punishment. 

Scarcely had Napoleon arrived in the palace of the 
Tzars, when, in the midst of this bloody consultation, 
a fire was announced to have broken out close to its 
walls, in the very Kremlin. His fury now knew no 
bounds. He denounced the direst vengeance against 
the perpetrators; and ordered every person that could 
be suspected, or Russian found near the spot, to be 
seized and brought before him. One hundred brave 
Muscovites were soon in the power of his guards, 
and hurried to the presence of the tyrant, on the 
ground near the cathedral which fronts the palace. 



176 

They were interrogated respecting the deed, and 
who had prompted them to it. They were promised 
life, and an absolute pardon from all punishment, if 
they would confess to these questions, and swear al- 
legiance to Napoleon. A stern silence was observed 
by all. Again and again they were interrogated; and 
still, from them, not a word was spoken. 

The tyrant's patience was exhausted; and finding 
that neither threats nor promises could shake the 
fidelity of these men to their sovereign, he gave the 
order, and they were immediately butchered. In the 
moment of death each stepped before the other, first 
to receive the shaft that was to separate him from his 
companion. With calmness in their countenances, and 
fortitude in their demeanor, they simply made the 
sign of the cross upon their breast, and fell under the 
stroke of their assassins. The author of their fate 
dared not look upon them; but he listened with exul- 
tation to the firing of the hundred balls which, succes- 
sively, deprived the dauntless band of existence. 

This cruel massacre soon became known to the 
wretched remains of the inhabitants; and, while detes- 
tation of the act doubly envenomed their hatred of 
Napoleon, they repeated their oaths sooner to die than 
to acknowledge his authority. Both sexes joined in 
the vow; and then, with tears of despair they divided, 
to seek a temporary refuge in the cellars, and amongst 
the smoking ruins of their once happy dwellings. 
During the night they sometimes met to repledge 



177 

their faith to each other; but in the day, scarcely a 
native of the city was to be seen. 

Notwithstanding the terrific example which the 
French leader had made of the hundred Muscovites 
whom he supposed had set fire to the Kremlin, he yet 
feared a repetition of the attempt from others of the 
people; and, to take every precaution for his security, 
he ordered all the gates to be kept close shut, with the 
single exception of that which opens to the Nicolisky 
street, and by which no one should enter but the 
officers highest in his confidence. Thus did the dread 
of a few loyal spirits, (too few to emerge from their 
secret hiding places!) hold the invader of their coun- 
try a prisoner, even in the centre of his vaunted con- 
quests! Do we not in this, see that there are times in 
which even the most successful guilt will stand in 
awe of virtue? It is to be deplored that her power is 
not more often tried. 

The fire which had been lit in the Kremlin, found 
answering beacons throughout the whole range of the 
circles which comprised the city of Moscow. The 
conflagration continued to spread in every direction, 
and, with its devouring flames, augmented the horrors 
of the night. The soldiers, regardless of order or dis- 
cipline, and instigated by the example of too many 
of their officers, seized every occasion which these 
scenes presented, to pillage and destroy. 

Buonaparte beheld the increasing destruction with 
uneasiness, least the ungovernable progress of the 
flames should wrest from him the glory of possessing 

Z 



178 

Moscow, by the utter consumption of the city. To 
avert this blow to his pride, he commanded his Gene- 
rals to leave no means untried to extinguish the thou- 
sand fires by which he was enveloped. His orders 
were seduously obeyed; but it was not until the 20th 
of the month that the fierceness of the flames ceased 
to rage. 

The picture, drawn of the commencement of these 
calamities, by a sharer in them, and one who was an 
eye-witness of their horrors, is a faithful representa- 
tion, and I will subjoin it. 

" From the night of yesterday (September 14th) 
until that of the 19th, the fire blazed in all quarters. 
It first broke out near the Foundling Hospital, and 
then, almost immediately, on the side of the city close 
to the stone bridge, and in the neighbourhood of the 
place which the king of Naples selected for his resi- 
dence. A third, and more extensive fire, burst out 
and spread itself along the face of the centre of the 
town. The inhabitants beheld their burning houses 
with a resignation which could only proceed from the 
belief that they should not long survive their destruc- 
tion. The conviction that their losses would be de- 
privation to the enemy also; that in the flames perished 
his most important resources; was the tranquillizer of 
every regret. New fires broke forth where ever the 
French soldiers directed their ruthless steps. Women 
cast themselves into the flames to escape violation; 



179 

and the blood of the brave Muscovite was vainly 
shed to extinguish fires kindled by his patriot hands. 

" On the morning of the third day after the entrance 
of these robbers, a violent wind arose, and then in- 
deed the conflagration became general. In less than 
an hour the whole extent of the capital, for many 
wersts, seemed a sheet of flame. All the immense 
tract of land above the river, which used to be co- 
vered with houses, was one sea of fire; and the sky 
was hidden from our eyes by the tremendous volumes 
of smoke which rolled over the city. 

" Direful as was this calamity, though it even me- 
naced the lives of our destroyers, yet they felt no pity; 
not a touch of remorse came near their obdurate 
hearts. Still they pursued the search of plunder; still 
they heaped crime upon crime; and deepened, with 
every act of cruelty, the tremendous horrors of the 
scene. 

** Surely the Almighty Judge, in His utmost wrath, 
never before presented so awful a spectacle to man- 
kind! 

" Through billows of fire, upon every elevated 
spot, hundreds of the blood-thirsty robbers were seen 
chacing their unhappy victims to nameless outrages, 
and to more welcome death. Where was there an 
asylum for suffering human- nature? Where for feeble 
age, shrinking from the impending torture? Where 
for the bleeding limbs of the young patriot? Where 
for the frantic maid flying from the grasp of the law- 
less ruffian? There was no refuge on earth: and guilt. 



180 

for a time, had its triumph. Napoleon, from the win- 
dows of the Kremlin, must have contemplated the 
progress of this deluge of destruction. While he 
shuddered, for his own sake, at the stormy ocean of 
fire swelling and sinking, and urging its waves to- 
wards him, he must assuredly have been visited by 
some thoughts to remind him that he was a vulnera- 
ble man; that an hour would come when he must ac- 
count for the scene before him, to the Being by whom 
himself, and all the creatures now perishing by his 
means, were alike created! If ever his conscience has 
spoken to him, if ever it has made itself heard, it was 
in one of these dreadful nights. The flames of Mos- 
cow, must have been to him, the torch of the furies." 

Whatever might have been the private feelings of 
this chief of banditti, he was aware of the necessity 
of preserving some place of shelter for his followers 
during the approaching inclement season; and to se- 
cure what had escaped the united devastation of sa- 
crifice and of rapine, he attempted to institute a civil 
authority and a police. He who had unyoked the de- 
mons of licentiousness and robbery, now felt alarm 
est the effects of their blind fury should recoil upon 
himself; and to ensure his own safety, he was at last 
obliged to fix limits to aggression on others. 

After making several ineffectual efforts, sometimes 
menacing, and at other times alluring by promises, 
he at length persuaded certain individuals to take on 
them so desperate a duty, and to form themselves 



181 

into a municipal body. Monsieur Lesseps, who had 
once been the French Consul-general at Saint Peters- 
burgh, (and whose exertions deserved the credit of 
having gained this point), was appointed Intendant 
of the Province of Moscow. Active as were the offi- 
cers of this necessary authority, it was so novel a 
thing that the objects of it hardly acknowledged its 
power; and robbery and murder continued to stalk 
abroad with as daring fronts as ever. Even these 
new magistrates, as they went about in discharge of 
their offices, were affronted, assailed, and beaten to 
their quarters with insult. Every corps of the army, 
marching in from the camp without the barriers, 
could prove the same right to plunder, as that which 
had been exercised by those whose good fortune had 
sent them first into the field of pillage. NAPOLEON 
HAD PROMISED THEM THE TREASURES 
OF MOSCOW! 

After the capture of Smolenzk, and the disappoint- 
ment sustained there by the removal of its riches, 
Napoleon had decided on making an attempt upon 
Moscow; and, should he carry the place, to devote 
the wealth of its princes and its people to the avidity 
of his soldiers. With this view, and to appease the 
murmurs that reached his ear respecting the unsatis- 
fied wants of the army, he announced to them that 
Moscow was his next object; that his troops should 
winter there; and that, from the bosom of its abun- 
dance, while his soldiers were imbibing new strength 
from its full stores, he would dictate terms of peace 



182 

to the Emperor Alexander, and fix the glory of France 
on a pinnacle that would irradiate the whole world. 

While on his march, and perceiving the spires and 
minarets of Moscow at a distance, he pointed to them 
and exclaimed to his followers: — " Behold the end 
of your campaign! Its gold, and its plenty, are yours." 

It was to these promises he owed his present em- 
barrassment. How could he chastise the ravages to 
which he had given his license? and how could he 
hope to conciliate any part of a people whose fellow- 
citizens he abandoned to the most wanton destruction? 
To extirpate is not to conquer. And the services of 
the conquered would be too useful to him in his pro- 
posed advances to the subjugation of the empire, to 
allow him to witness the calamities of Moscow with- 
out seeming to check their tide. To do it in reality 
was beyond even the power of Buonaparte; and, what 
he could not remedy, he sought to excuse by pub- 
lishing an apology for military robbery! This ma- 
noeuvre produced no other effect than to develop to 
all parties the convenient political morality of its au- 
thor. 

The fire was at last extinguished; but the work of 
desolation still continued in the sacking of the place, 
committing violences in the streets, and defying the 
civil authorities. To oppose this insubordination. Na- 
poleon had resort to placards and proclamations; and 
finding them despised, he went so far as to have two 
or three of the most atrocious offenders shot. When 
even this small show of justice appeared amongst 



183 

their enemies, some few of the poor inhabitants, pe- 
rishing with hunger, took heart, and crept from the 
obscure recesses in which they had lain concealed. 
But what a change had taken place during their short 
retreat! Moscow was no longer to be recognised. 
Nothing remained of this once magnificent city, but 
a vast plain, covered with ruins and smoking ashes! 
Every where the dilapidated streets were choked up 
with human bodies, and the carcases of dead horses. 
And yet there was a more direful spectacle to behold: 
wretched fathers and husbands, running to and fro, 
seeking from the murdered heaps the mangled re- 
mains of their wives and daughters! Others rushed 
wildly from their coverts, demanding something to 
appease the cravings of famishing nature! And some, 
exhausted by want and misery, without a murmur, or 
turning even an eye of supplication to their oppres- 
sors, fell extended on the earth, expiring on the na- 
tive soil to which they had devoted their existence. 

Thus, day after day, increased the distresses of this 
venerable city. But while tyranny trampled it in the 
dust, he did not escape feeling some part of the in- 
jury he inflicted. In the rencontres of licentiousness, 
and the assassination of the helpless people, the French 
soldiers forgot how to use their arms in the open 
field. Though full of threats and bombast, all their 
exploits, during their stay at Moscow, may be sum- 
med up in a few reconnoitering skirmishes, and tw© 
or three abortive attempts to procure provisions. 



184 



To have a clear apprehension of the succeeding 
transactions of the campaign, it will be necessary to 
recapitulate, en train, a few circumstances already no- 
ticed. 

After the battle of Borodino, Prince KoutousofF 
continued his march from the scene of his victory 
without any molestation; and on the 13th of Septem- 
ber halted about three wersts from Moscow, where 
he held a council of war; the decisions of which have 
been already stated in the paper he addressed from 
Gilino to his Imperial Majesty. 

Having balanced every sacrifice with its correspond- 
ing advantage, and settled all preliminaries to meet 
the necessity of abandoning the metropolis, early in 
the morning of the 14th he parted from its gallant 
Governor, the magnanimous Rastapchin, and march*- 
ed through the city to the barrier of Kalumna. He 
passed that boundary, and by affecting certain dispo- 
sitions amused the enemy, whilst in reality he took 
up the ground he had predetermined to occupy to the 
southward of the town. 

According to the arrangement between the Com- 
mander-in-chief and the Governor of Moscow, before 
the French approached the city the whole of the sick 
and wounded, who were able to bear motion, were 
taken away and carried to places of safety. Amongst 
these involuntary fugitives, was the brave and ever- 



185 

to- be- lamented Prince Bragation. He died as he had 
lived, amidst the glory of his actions, and was buried 
in the way to Yarraslaff with every mark of honour 
due to his virtues. Gallant and amiable Bragation! 
What has been said of the heroic Bayard may as truly 
be aifirmed of thee. " Thou wert without fear or re- 
proach!'* 

After the Russian army had made two movements 
by the way of Gilino, it crossed the river Moscva 
near Koulakova. At a distance of eight or nine wersts 
it began its flank dispositions by forced marches, and 
on the 18th of the month reached the city of Podol, 
The rear-guard, which had been left along the bank 
of the Pocra, had orders to follow the direction of 
the main army; but previously to detach a strong 
body of Cossacs to make such false demonstrations 
as would induce the enemy to imagine that the whole 
mass of troops were moving on Kalumna. This ma= 
noeuvre had the desired effect; for the French, be- 
lieving these Cossacs were the covering parties of the 
rear-guard, dispatched a formidable force towards 
them; and they conducted themselves with such abi» 
lity and resolution, that the movements of the main 
army were completely concealed, and the enemy so 
deceived by their demonstrations, that he directed 
his attention to no other point. So ably was this feint 
executed, that it lasted for several days, and allowed 
the Commander-in-chief to pass, without the smallest 
disturbance, to his selected position upon the ancient 
road leading to Kalouga, 

2A 



186 

He arrived on this commanding line on the 23d, 
and stationed his head-quarters at the village of Kras- 
noy-Procra. By this position, his right stretched 
across the Toula road; his left, beyond the Kalouga 
new road; and his centre occupied the old Voad. This 
arrangement planted a bulwark of invincible patriots 
between the richest Russian provinces and the enemy; 
shutting him completely out from their abundant 
fields and opulent cities. The Orel also, by this ad- 
mirable position, was barred from him; and every 
long- cherished hope of drawing supplies from that 
quarter, he was obliged now to abandon. 

Besides these judicious stations for his main army, 
KoQtousoff detached a large body of troops under 
Major-general DochtorofF, towards Mojaisk, to act 
on the rear of the French. He also sent several corps 
of Cossacs and hussars to intercept the reinforcements 
and convoys that might be on their way to join the 
enemy in Moscow. Thus were the different divisions 
of the Russian army appointed at this awful crisis of 
the empire; and in the trying hour, happy were those 
whose courage was put to meet death alone. Agonies 
more severe than the most torturing deaths, did they 
endure, who bore the iron which entered their very 
souls, as they stood at their posts within sight of 
Moscow, and beheld the horrors of that devoted city. 

The account which the French bulletin gives of 
this movement of Koutousoff, is particularly curious; 
not for its military view of the matter, but from the 
turn which the writer wishes to give to the demeanor 



187 

of the Russian army on witnessing the conflagration 
of their ancient metropolis. 

" The Russian army," observes this journalist, 
" on evacuating the Kalomna road, made a tour of 
half the city, at a distance of six wersts. The wind 
setting in this direction, drove volumes of fire and 
smoke upon them. Our march^ a Russian officer is 
reported to have said, was a march of gloom; of smoke 
and of religion. Dismay filed every breast; and we 
became so penetrated with horror^ both officers and 
meuy that the most profound silence reigned throughout 
the army, a silence as if all were at prayer. ^^ 

If this remark were ever made, out of the pages 
in which we find it, the speaker must have been a 
Frenchman; for, no man in the Russian army could 
have mistaken the awful silence of that march. It was 
the silence of men, called upon to immolate the ob- 
jects dearest to them, for the preservation of their 
country. It was the silence of men witnessing the 
sacrifice of these objects in the raging fires of Mos- 
cow. There perished the homes of their fathers, the 
endearments of domestic love; all that is precious to 
the parent, to the husband, and to the friend! Can 
men have hearts, and mistake the cause of the pro- 
found silence of the Russian soldiers, as they moved 
on, and beheld this scene? Where is the superstition, 
(for this report would so insinuate of religion!) of 
breathing a prayer at such a moment? In beholding 



188 

this demoniac proof of man's ambitious enmity against 
man, where can the outraged spirit turn with more 
reason, than to invoke the God of mercy, for objects 
so dear? Awe, and not dismay; true religion, and not 
superstitious gloom, then occupied the minds of the 
Russian army: and, M'hile their prayers called on Hea- 
ven to pity the devoted city, they could hardly fail 
from adding a cry for retribution " on the heads of 
the^r^^ authors of all these miseries." 

The fall of Moscow, as the veteran Commander- 
in-chief expressed himself, was not that of the coun- 
try. The enemy's aim had been to strike at the heart 
of the empire, and he had made the blow, but the 
wound was not mortal. " Moscow is not Russia!" 
exclaimed every voice, " The empire exists in our- 
selves!" The Imperial Alexander, worthy of com- 
manding such a people, sympathized with their en- 
thusiasm; and seeing the salvation of the state in their 
heroic faith, reiterated the sentiment, " It is the end 
which crowns the toil!" 

The army of KoutousofF augmented its numbers 
every day; and in a few weeks the army of the inva- 
der was in a state of blockade. Every hand was raised 
against him, every device put in execution to reduce 
him to extremity. Thousands of brave men left their 
ploughs to range themselves under the banners of 
their country; and those who came not to the regular 
lines, armed themselves in the best manner they 
could; and, dispersing themselves over the roads and 
by-ways, the woods and the ravines, hunted out the 



189 

foraging parties of the enemy with the most deadly 
diligence and revenge. Hordes of troops were con- 
tinually arriving from the foot of the Caucasus, and 
from the shores of the Caspian. The farthest domi- 
nions of the empire pressed forward their sons to 
avenge the ruin of the Imperial City, and to convince 
its desolators that Alexander reigned in the hearts 
of all his people. Bashkirs, Calmucs, and Tartars, 
crowded from the east and the south to swell the glo- 
rious host destined to rid the empire of its proud in= 
vaders. 

The Cossacs of the Don, not satisfied with the 
proofs of loyalty they were already giving in the field 
under their brave Hetman, had prepared an armament 
of reserve from amongst the veterans who had served 
their limited time, and their youth of an age to bear 
arms. Twenty of these regiments, (the old, eager to 
renew the transports of victory; and the young, to be- 
gin the contest) w^ere ready to march at a few hours' 
notice. Six pieces of flying artillery were to accom- 
pany them to the field. Independent of this force, not 
only raised, but equipped, on the banks of their na- 
tive river, another was to be formed in the same 
quarter under the direction of the nobility of Novo- 
gorode. They presented them with fifteen hundred 
horses; and the Cossac merchants, residing in that 
city, made a subscription amongst themselves, amount- 
ing to ninety- three thousand six hundred roubles, to 
furnish arms for their brave countrymen. In fact, but 
one feeling seemed to animate the souls of every 



190 

Russian subject. To give all that he possessed on 
earth, in exchange for the liberty of the empire: his 
property, his affections, his life. Never did Europe, 
or the world, behold so determined, so universal, s© 
concentrated a spirit of patriotism. 



The French army, after having lost sight of the 
Russian force, (a body of one hundred and fifty thou- 
sand men!) for many days, at length, to their astonish^ 
ment, found it close to their rear; and made the dis- 
covery at the very time when their advanced parties 
were rambling about, at a considerable distance, in 
search of it. The General-aide-de-camp, Baron Vin- 
zingorode, being on the opposite side of Moscow, 
at Twer, had pushed his troops forward upon the 
roads in so many directions, that his right detach- 
ments reached the quarter of Mojaisk, and acted in 
concert with those which had been dispatched from 
the main army on the Kalouga road. By these able, 
prompt, and, to the enemy, unexpected manoeuvres, 
almost an entire circle was formed round the French 
at Moscow. 

While we feel the praise that ought to be given to 
the Russian General for these movements, we cannot 
easily comprehend how one of so renowned military 
abilities as Buonaparte, (and aided too, by such ex- 



191 

perienced officers), could have allowed himself to re- 
main in ignorance of motions so decisive of his fate. 
In this crisis, he appears to have lost the penetration 
of a General, which leads him to calculate with tole- 
rable certainty on the probable movements of his 
opponent. And, either he must have been strangely- 
negligent of seeking the necessary information, or, 
those he employed were very erroneous in their ob- 
servations and reports. The infatuation which some- 
times falls upon even the greatest men in the most 
critical juncture of their affairs, is often as wonderful 
to the observer as it is fatal to the subject of its in- 
fluence. 

On the discovery of the near neighbourhood of the 
Russian position, a considerable part of the French 
army formed itself close under the walls of Moscow, 
and placed strong divisions on the respective roads, 
from that of Kalumna to that of Saint Petersburgh. 

The advanced guard of Koutousoff's army was sta- 
tioned in a parallel direction to these positions of the 
enemy, about ten wersts in their front, and as far as 
the new Kalouga road. 

Thus were the French involved by the lines of 
Russia, as the tyger is entangled in the meshes of the 
snare by which he is caught. Moscow which was to 
be the palace from which the conqueror of the world 
had decreed he would issue his irreversible mandates, 
was now his prison; and, in the midst of his field- 
marshals and his legions, the Great Napoleon found 
himself out- generalled and a captive. Disappointment 



192 

and consternation spread throughout the invading 
army. Little else had they derived from the merciless 
sacking of the Russian capital, than blood and an ac- 
cession of guilt. Pressed with wants of every descrip- 
tion, in vain did they look with longing eyes towards 
that France so few of them were to see again; and on 
the way to which, they now saw nothing but Russian 
troops intercepting their couriers, their reinforce- 
ments, and their provisions. Thus, their military 
fame eclipsed, and their very existence menaced, by 
the foe they had so lately threatened to annihilate, 
they cried aloud for that peace, which their proud 
leader had promised them should be entreated by the 
conquered Russians at the gates of Moscow. 

Buonaparte, as he had waited at the barrier of the 
city for an invitation from its functionaries to bless 
them with his presence, now waited for the heads of 
the Russian government to beg at his hands the olive 
branch of peace. In both cases — he waited in vain. 
No flags of truce arrived. No symptoms whatever 
were evinced of a disposition in the nation to com- 
promise its glory and its independence. Nor could he 
find one friend, amongst the number he boasted to 
possess in the empire, to lead the way in bowing to 
the yoke of deception and slavery. No art was left 
untried, no temptation unpractised, to allure some in- 
dividual to set the base example; but disappointment 
waited upon every attempt; and the tyrant was forced 
to see that he had to do with a Sovereign and a people 
determined to die rather than to submit. 



193 

Buonaparte, having allowed these vain expectations 
to usurp the time he might have actively used for the 
service of his ambition, saw with increased mortifica- 
tion that the delay had only augmented his embarrass- 
ments by doubling the distresses of the army. The 
vigilance of the Russian light troops continued to cut 
off all the convoys and succours which attempted to 
reach Moscow by the way of Smolenzk; and the small 
means of subsistence which had been found in the 
capital, being nearly exhausted, famine and disease 
began to stalk in visible shapes before his eyes. 

The French soldiers bore their privations at first 
with gloomy desperation. But when the sufferings of 
extreme hunger, and its attendant ills, assailed them, 
then their patience was exhausted; and their idolatrous 
adoration of the man who had brought them into these 
miseries, was changed to disrespect, to indignation, to 
loud demands for the promised reward of their mili- 
tary toils, yor Plenty^ or for Peace! No remonstrances, 
no flatteries, no threatenings, from the creatures of 
Napoleon, could longer hold the despairing army 
within the bounds of discipline. Mutiny and pillage 
broke every restriction. Every day thousands of fa- 
mishing soldiers left their camp, and entered the city, 
to break into houses and magazines, and seek by force 
for means to satisfy the cravings of hunger unto mad- 
ness. Others, in troops, without orders, and despising 
the commands that would withhold them, dispersed 
themselves over the country, marauding every where 
in search of bread. Blood tracked their steps; for scat- 

2 B 



194 

tered in a hundred directions in quest of food or death, 
almost every where these unhappy wretches were lost. 
Those in remote places were sacrificed to the rage of 
the ambushed peasantry; and those who appeared in 
public ways, were cut down by the numerous Cossacs 
which scoured the roads. 

Necessity, at last, forced even the dominant pride 
of Napoleon; and finding that Russia would not take 
the part of the suppliant, he felt himself reduced to 
offer, what he wished should be asked as a boon; and 
making a show of particular concern for the peace of 
mankind, he condescended to dispatch General Lau- 
riston (the ci-devant ambassador at the Court of St. 
Petersburgh,) with a flag of truce to the Russian 
head -quarters. His errand was to attempt, at least, to 
open a negociation with Prince Koutousoff. He was 
received by the Russian Commander with every mark 
of politeness, but not with a cordiality to invite the 
unfolding of his mission. However, on being officially 
interrogated as to the purport of his visit, he told the 
Prince that he came in the name of the Emperor Na- 
poleon, who was actuated by considerations of huma- 
nity alone and a desire to stop the effusion of Russian 
blood, to communicate to their Commander-in-chief, 
that his Imperial Majesty of France was still willing 
to treat for a renewal of friendship between the two 
empires. 

The Prince replied, by telling Lauriston to say to 
his master, that with respect to sparing the effusion of 
Russian blood, every man born in Russian land, was 



195 

ready to shed his blood in support of the indepen- 
dence of the empire; and to maintain it, both his Im- 
perial Majesty Alexander, and the nation at large, 
were determined never to listen to one pacific word, 
whilst a foreign soldier remained within the frontiers 
of their country. 

Having received this answer, the French General 
was not permitted to press the subject farther; but, 
the safe conduct was given to him, and he returned 
full of chagrin to his master. 

Buonaparte would hardly listen to the end of the 
conference. He expressed violent indignation at what 
he termed the insolence of the Russian Commander; 
who, he expected, would have felt himself too much 
honoured by the overture, not at least to open a nego- 
ciation. However, great as was the French leader's 
resentment against KoutousofF, the necessity for not 
driving his troops quite to despair, was yet greater; 
and therefore he tried to flatter his Generals that the 
desired pacification would take place whenever his 
wish to that purpose should reach the Emperor Alex- 
ander. To soften to the soldiers the failure of this em- 
bassy, every means were resorted to that might inspire 
them with an idea that KoutousofF was acting beyond 
his credentials; and that Alexander, when informed of 
his arrogance to his old ally, (who, though now his 
enemy, was yet the Great Napoleon!) would punish 
his presumption by immediately sending peremptory 
orders that the French proposals should be discussed, 
and, probably, accepted. Nothing was omitted to be 



196 

said, which could cherish this illusion in the minds of 
the miserable inmates of the camp and of the town. 
The madness of desperation was to be averted at any 
rate; and, where truth would have unveiled to the 
eyes of the arm)'^, the gulph on which they stood, 
falsehood was called upon to spread over the wide 
destruction her betraying mists. Buonaparte invented, 
and caused to be circulated, the most agreeable re- 
ports, from day to day, throughout the city and the 
lines. Sometimes it was rumoured that Riga had been 
taken by assault; then that Macdonald had made his 
triumphant entry into St. Petersburgh. Another in- 
formant spoke of a considerable convoy that was 
known to be on its way from the French resources, 
and was bringing winter cloathing and other neces- 
saries for the army; and that it was so large, and so 
well protected, as to cover the road from Wilna to 
Smolenzk. Besides these ''flattering unctions" with 
which he sought to medicine the venom which had 
seized on his impatient and perishing troops, he gave 
out that Marshal Victor was advancing with strong 
reinforcements; and, to prove that the good star of 
Napoleon was still in the ascendant, the Russian army 
was enduring still greater privations than the French! 
It was dismembered by universal discontents! and the 
commanding officers, divided by intrigue and faction, 
were calling aloud for Peace on any terms. 

With these wild subterfuges did the invader of 
Russia seek to appease the murmurs of his disap- 
pointed followers. Many died of want, before the 



197 

falsehood of his several informations could be proved, 
by the non-appearance of the succours he promised. 
They, whose hardier constitutions yet contended vv^ith 
all the horrors of famine, and sometimes of disease, 
gave their credence a little longer to the tales which 
kept them from despair. Encouraged by the success 
of these artifices, he turned his attention towards con- 
ciliating the poor remnant of the inhabitants which 
remained alive in Moscow; and from them, he ex- 
tended his subtilties to the people of the villages that 
surrounded the capital. He issued proclamations, in 
which he set forward the brightness of his own vir- 
tues as a hero and a sovereign, and invited the dis- 
persed natives to return to their homes, and enjoy, in 
fraternity with the Great Nation^ the freedom and 
happiness of his protectio^i. Could a feeling of the 
ridiculous be united with a sense of outrage, the 
Russian people must have laughed at the absurdity of 
such an address from the ravager of their country. 
The houseless fugitives from Smolenzk, and the 
smoking ashes which tracked their destroyer's march, 
bore too strong evidences of the sort of protection 
and fraternal love intended by the Great Nation and 
its Rulery for the people to listen otherwise than with 
contempt as well as indignation to such an attempt 
upon their understandings. In cases of extremity, they 
•might become the victims of his cruelties; but they 
were not to be seduced by his promises. Napoleon at 
last was forced to see that the Russian nation was nei- 
ther to be subdued nor deceived. The most dreadful 



198 

calamities could not bow their spirit, nor the most 
magnificent temptations warp it. The people whom 
at a distance he had stigmatized with the names of 
slaves and barbarians, he was compelled to know as 
a race too noble to betray themselves, or those who 
confided in their virtue. 

While Buonaparte was thus occupying himself, to 
compass by the art of policy, what he could not ac- 
complish by that of war, the Russian Generals, at the 
head of their respective columns, relaxed not in their 
exertions to accumulate the distresses of the enemy. 



Dochtorofi', who was posted in observation on the 
Mojaisk road, sent in hourly information to the Com- 
mander-in-chief, of the various and successful opera- 
tions of annoyance made by the Emperor's troops 
against the French. On the night of the 22d he as- 
sembled his own detachment at the village of Schara- 
povo, and thence dispersed his parties, with orders to 
take or destroy every succour they might find ap- 
proaching Moscow. The Dragoons and Cossacs under 
his command were so constantly on the alert, night 
and day, as, from the 22d of September, to the 4th of 
October, to seize upwards of fifty-six carts and car- 
riages, charged with supplies from the French in 
Smolenzk to their brethren in the capital. Besides 



199 

this spoil, these vigilant troops took, at different times, 
two thousand prisoners, (including twenty- six officers, 
and an aide-de-camp of Marshal Ney's,) which had 
formed the escorts of the supplies. 

Baron Korff 's detachment did not halt behind that 
of Dochtoroff, in active service. It took many priso- 
ners, intercepted the couriers and correspondence of 
the enemy, and rescued two large packages of church 
plate which Napoleon was sending from the sacred 
treasures of Moscow. 

Miloradovitch, with his brave corps, watched the 
movements of Murat's advanced guard in the vicinity 
of Panskoy, on the banks of the Netra. This small 
river flows into the Moscva at the village of Kosro- 
guina, near the road leading to Voscreshinskoy. 

Baron Vinzingorode was equally well placed; and 
his troops having been reinforced by three thousand 
militia from Yarraslaff, he was enabled to strengthen 
his advance; the right of which occupied Tcherni- 
grease on the St. Petersburgh road; and the left held 
a good position near the town of Volokolamsk. He 
had also a formidable party on the Voscreshinskoy 
road, to connect his wings. He had previously sta- 
tioned Cossacs on the Dimitroff and Yarraslaff" roads 
to observe the enemy, who had not been slow in dis- 
patching strong detachments to oppose these move- 
ments. Every day produced skirmishes, in which the 
Russians not only took prisoners, but received hun- 
dreds of deserters from the French lines. The dis- 
tresses of the French camp became so unbearable. 



200 

that Germans, and whole regiments of Spaniards and 
Portuguese, whom the despot had forced into his 
service, fled at once from vassalage and famine, to the 
Russian protection. 

Every hour more and more impaired the vain hope 
of Napoleon of receiving a conciliatory application 
from the court of St. Petersburgh. Full time had 
elapsed for such an order to have arrived, and yet no 
messenger was seen from the Russian camp. The 
soldiery became violent, despairing. Disease was now 
augmenting the pangs of hunger; and they called 
aloud that they were deceived, that they were betray- 
ed to the most cruel of deaths. To quiet the increas- 
ing tumult, their ruler found it necessary, so far to 
humble his pride, as to send Count Lauriston again 
to the Russian head- quarters. His offers for a renewal 
of friendship between the two empires were the same 
as before, and the same answer was returned that he 
had received on his former visit. Aware of what 
would be the rage of his master when he should again 
carry back such a reply, the Count requested Prince 
Koutousoff, " since he refused himself to open an 
amicable correspondence with the Emperor Napoleon, 
to forward a letter from that Monarch to his Imperial 
Majesty Alexander." "I will do that," replied the 
Prince, " provided the word peace on the terms now 
offered is not expressed in that letter. I would not be 
a party in such an insult to my sovereign, as to have 
a hand in forwarding to him, what he would instantly 
order to be destroyed in his presence. You already 



201 

knoiv on what terms, and on them alone, will offers of 
peace be listened to. His Imperial Majesty, we know, 
will keep as firm to his resolves, as we shall stand 
stedfast in ours, to support the independence of the 
empire." 

Having said this, his Highness bade a polite fare- 
well to Lauriston, and begged him not to repeat visits 
which must be unavailing. 

The return of his messenger with this reply, in- 
censed Buonaparte to the most vehement expressions 
of indignation. He found himself treated with con- 
tempt as well as opposition, and had it not been that 
the critical situation of his army made the strictest 
caution necessary, it is probable the resentment with 
which he was filled, might have precipitated him to 
make some strong effort of revenge. But he too 
plainly saw in the persevering enmity of his adversa- 
ries, the situation to which he was reduced. He per- 
eeived that if, by some political finesse, or military 
manoeuvre, he did not extricate his army from the 
dreadful dilemma into which he had unwarily led itj 
he must forever abandon his designs on Russia, de- 
stroy the basis of his empire in France, and blast his 
reputation throughout Europe. No longer dazzled by 
the continued blaze of his victories, the kingdoms he 
had deluded to his sceptre would not only see the 
baseness of their vassalage, but how to recover their 
liberty; and he would have the mortifying conviction 
that the talisman of his good fortune had been broken 
by the firm virtue of the very people whom he had 

2C 



202 

taught these subject nations to contemn as ignorant 
savages and hereditary slaves. 

After weighing both ways of escape, negociation 
still seemed the most feasible; for the wants of his 
troops, the spirit of desertion which prevailed amongst 
those who were foreigners, and the insubordination 
which disorganized even the French; made a military 
attempt at this moment a rashness not to be dared. 
Repugnant, therefore, as he was to again appear, in 
the person of his ambassador, at the levee of the 
Russian Commander-in-chief, he wished to persuade 
himself that Koutousoff might be induced to treat, 
were the evacuation of Moscow proposed as a pre- 
liminary measure. Grasping at this new expectation, 
he again called Lauriston into his presence, and order- 
ed him to repair once more to the Russian camp with 
this proffer, " which should contain his final offer of 
peace." 

In this offer, he desired it to be proposed that an 
armistice must first be agreed on, and then Moscow 
should be immediately restored to the Russian Em- 
peror. This done, the French army, with its artillery 
and baggage, would retire upon Wiazma; and there 
station themselves in a place, which they hoped would 
become the theatre of a future friendly pacific con- 
ference. 

No explanation need be offered of the ultimate 
views of Buonaparte, in this proposal. Nor is it re- 
quisite to make comments on what would have been 
the result to the Russians, had they been weak enough 



203 

to be caught by the bait of the re-possession of the 
capital. It must in common probability, have proved 
the destruction of their empire. Alexander would 
have been an Emperor in fee of the Great Napoleon; 
and the Russian people, a nation of slaves, plunged 
into a gulph of intellectual darkness, more barren of 
light than that of the remotest hyperborean hordes. 

Delusive as might be the hopes of their Destroyer, 
the Russian people remained firm to the independence 
of their empire; and to that sun of mental light and 
personal liberty, which rose with Alexander's natal 
star upon their country. Their answer spoke from 
the lips of KoutousoiF, and it was what might be na- 
turally anticipated from an upright and sincere people. 
KoutousofF was not slow in comprehending the views 
of Buonaparte in adding to these repeated applica- 
tions for a negociation of peace, a proposal for an arf 
mistice. 

" No," replied the Russian Commander, " it is not 
the time for us to grant either the one or the other, 
when the campaign is just opening on our part." 

Napoleon received this final blow to his diplomatic 
machinations with answerable emotions. He was com- 
pelled to see that no art could prevail on his present 
enemies to become the sport of his destiny; and fear- 
ing that, on the contrary, he might at last, be the 
victim of their's; his apprehensions became troubled 
with ten thousand foreboding images. He saw the 
gigantic spectre of his ambition falling before the ge- 
nius of Russia, and lying buried for ever under the 




204 

pale shroud of a northern winter; he beheld the sun 
of his glory darkened by storms; and its rays totally 
extinguished by the overwhelming ruin of his army, 
perishing amid the deserts they were invited to con- 
quer! 

From the apparitions of such direful *' coming 
events," it is not surprising that the French Dictator 
should be anxious to fly. By removing himself from 
the most prominent scene of his people's miseries, 
he hoped to escape some of the tormenting retrospec- 
tions to which they pointed; and leaving Moscow^ 
under some trifling excuse, he took up his residence 
at the palace of Petrofsky: the place where, a few 
weeks before, he had in vain awaited the visit of the 
municipality of the city. In this seat of his double 
mortification, truth so far shone into his mind, as to 
convince him that all his proud expectations of the 
Russian empire, must be laid down on this spot. But 
before he relinquished the idea of planting his uni- 
versal throne upon that of the Tzars, he determined 
that their ancient metropolis should for ever remem- 
ber that the foot of Napoleon was once upon its thres- 
hold. The destruction which the loyalty and despair 
of the Muscovites had begun, he was resolved should 
be so finished by the French soldiers, that nothing 
should remain of the golden palaces and shining mi- 
narets of Moscow, but the desolated plain on which 
they had stood. 

His principle has ever been, " Where I cannot 
reign, I will destroy/' and issuing his orders in con,- 



205 

formity to this principle, he found the habits of his 
followers' minds only too ready to execute his com- 
mands. While they aroused themselves with mutual 
and horrid emulations to pursue the work of destruc- 
tion, their officers found some difficulty in keeping 
the devastation within such limits as to allow of any 
vestige whatever being preserved, to carry to Paris 
as a trophy of Moscow! Whilst rapine, murder, and 
flames, re-awakened their uproar throughout this de- 
voted city, all that could be rescued for the purpose 
of a Parisian triumph^ were the gilded cross and cres- 
cent which Napoleon had ordered to be stripped from 
the high tower of the Great church of St. John; and 
the old standards from the Kremlin, which had been 
taken from the Turks by the Russians during their 
several wars with that state. 

These spoils were carefully packed up to be sent 
to Paris; and to enrich the warlike deposit, they were 
accompanied by whatever treasure had fallen to the 
Conqueror^s share! 

Owing to the confusion of the inhabitants, when 
quitting their habitations so abruptly on the approach 
of the French, some had left their plate behind them. 
Indeed a few of the churches had been left in pos- 
session of their sacred vessels. And, as may be sup- 
posed, it was not long after the entrance of these 
general robbers that the whole of these riches, private 
and public, became the property of the commanders 
of the diiferent divisions. They seized all that could 
be found, and melting the gold and silver into bars. 



206 

(to make them the easier for carriage), they loaded 
their baggage, and remained ready for a moment's 
mandate. These commanders were too well read in 
the progress of conquest, and in the consequence 
of disaster, not to have long foreseen their aban- 
donment of Moscow; and, therefore, without sur- 
prise they attended Napoleon's summons to the Pe- 
trofsky palace, and heard his final decision respecting 
the ancient capital of the Tzars. He commanded them 
to make it known to his army that, in spite of all his 
exertions, he found the barbarous system of warfare 
used by the Russians, had so destroyed Moscow, that 
his greatest efforts to restore it, either as a military 
position, or a place of political influence, had proved 
abortive. It was therefore become a station of equal 
unimportance to the enemy as to himself; and was 
totally unworthy the risque of passing a winter within 
its ruins. The weather, to be sure, was then (the be- 
ginning of October) warmer than, at that season of 
the year, they had it in France. But, as the climates 
were altogether different, with the succeeding month 
they must expect cold. On these considerations, it 
was his intention immediately to resign the boasted 
capital of the Tzars to the solitude that must be the 
consequence of its desolation; and to lead his brave 
troops without loss of time into a part of the country 
more friendly to his views, and where an overflowing 
plenty would be the reward of all their labours. In 
these abundant provinces he would establish his win- 
ter quarters, and ifj during that period, the Russian 



207 

empire should persist in refusing his offered pcace^ 
the spring should see him spread his legions over the 
whole country; and, creating a Duke of Smolenzk 
and of St. Petersburgh, he would efface the name of 
Russia from the list of European nations! 

The cry of havoc! spread from the palace of Pe- 
trofsky to the whole of the French army. It was now 
indeed that the demon of destruction was let loose to 
satiate itself with human misery. The soldiers of the 
camp and of the town rushed from all quarters to 
pursue their devastating task. Nothing was to be 
spared; neither church, nor palace, nor private dwell- 
ing, was to be left unsacked, undestroyed. The 
Foundling-hospital alone, (having been made the as- 
sylum of the French sick, and which now contained 
several thousand of the wounded soldiers), was to be 
exempt from the torch of annihilation. 

No objects presented themselves but multitudes of 
robbers scouring the streets, bursting open the doors 
and cellars of the houses which yet held an inhabitant; 
whether native or foreigner it was all the same to 
their rapacity; they penetrated to the remotest apart- 
ments, and dragging forth the wretched owners from 
their hiding-places, stripped them naked, that their 
clothes might add to the heaps of their plunder. Hun-^ 
dreds of fainting women, who had escaped the last 
horrors of the first outrages on Moscow, were violated, 
and murdered; and their bodies thrown out of their 
houses into the open street, to lay amidst the piles of 



208 

putrefying carcases of horses and men which starva- 
tion had deprived of existence. 

The blood-hounds of death but too well obeyed in 
every quarter, the voice of their inhuman leader. 
The air was filled with shrieks, and groans, and im- 
precations. It was a very Pandemonium; a congrega- 
tion of devils let loose to riot in human miseries, in 
human flesh j for scenes of blood and cruelties were 
transacted there which puts to nought the ravening 
of wild beasts, the horrid destruction of cannibals in 
the midst of their most savage orgies. 

How then must we start with horror when we un- 
derstand that all these refinements on barbarism were 
the effects of regular orders issued from Napoleon to 
his Generals, and from them to the individuals of the 
army! Thus sanctioned, the soldiery no longer con- 
sidered their rapine an unlawful act, but pursued 
their enormities with the confidence of men fulfilling 
a duty. 

One day it was the senior guards who pillaged; on 
the next it was the junior. The day following that, 
the division of Marshal Davoust took its turn. And 
so on, in regular course, till all the diiferent corps 
encamped around the city had their share in finishing 
the work of ruin. 

For eight days, without intermission, did this law 
of force continue. It is not possible for any imagina- 
tion that has not seen the acts then committed, to 
form any conception of their variety of wickedness; 
of their demoniac wantonness of cruelty. It would be 



209 

doing a violence to the human heart, even to recount 
them, or to read their register. Suffice it to say, that 
in the round of these eight days, the fierceness of the 
rage of the French legions at their defeats and mise- 
ries since they entered Russia, all fell upon the head 
of this devoted city. The soldiers who had crossed 
the Niemen gaily caparisoned, and high in hope of 
new glories; who had anticipated the sight of kneeling 
provinces at the feet of their leader, and the abun- 
dance of their produce to enrich themselves; when, 
instead of the realization of these expectations, they 
met with opposition, overthrow, and want; what could 
exceed the depth of their disappointment, the fury 
with which they gave it utterance? First, in threaten- 
ed mutiny against their leader; and now, in sanguinary 
atrocities against a poor remnant of the brave people 
they could not subdue! 

Thousands of these French ruffians, almost in a 
state of complete nakedness, without shoes, or any 
clothing on their limbs, and scarce a covering but a 
few filthy rags flying from their bodies, were met in 
every direction; more like the banditti their deeds 
imitated, than the soldier, whose noble profession 
their enormities stigmatized with disgrace. In thig 
wretched plight were all the followers of Buonaparte. 
His own personal guards were not better clad; having 
nothing in their appearance that spoke their military 
order but the arms they carried. 

Impelled by a sense of the hatred they deserved, 
and the contempt that had lately b^en show^n to their 

2D 



210 

demands for peace, they sought food at the point of 
the bayonet, and clothed themselves with the raiment 
of the murdered. The officers themselves, being not 
much better furnished with apparel, found no shame 
in displaying an equal baseness of mind; and casting 
humanity off at once, followed their rapacious com- 
rades through all their rounds of violence and robbery. 

Some few indeed, whose rank in the army required 
some show of the gentleman at least, satisfied them- 
selves with sacking the houses in which they had at 
first taken up their quarters. Here, quietly, and at 
home, they stripped the rooms of all that they con- 
tained, leaving only bare walls, for the fire to con- 
sume, whenever Buonaparte should give the word for 
the final conflagration. 

The Generals, who represented their chief in their 
actions, as accurately as those of the Macedonian in- 
vader did their August Lord; they knew how to co- 
lour their avidity with the gloze of legal devices. 
Under the pretext of a requisition for the public ser- 
vice, they seized every article which suited their 
purpose; and when they had thus emptied one house, 
they moved on to another, with the same demands, 
and the same principle of unblushing robbery. 

While Napoleon stood as Nero did, watching the 
devastation of one of the finest cities in the world, the 
spirit of man that is in his bosom could not but 
whisper to him what would be the opinion of the 
world, when the unexampled barbarity of the sacking 
of Moscow should become generally known. Even 



211 

with the eiFects of his own orders blazing before his 
eyes, he tried to sink his destruction of the city, in 
the patriotic devotion which the Russians had made 
of its magazines, when they found it necessary to 
abandon it. 

It was that devotion which had deprived Napoleon 
of his needful resources. No ammunition, no bread 
for his men, no forage for his horses, presented them- 
selves. He found silver and gold, it is true, but no 
where the aliments of life. Not only the magazines of 
the city had been demolished, but when the magnani- 
mous Rastapchin left it, in his way to join the con- 
centrated army of the empire, he stopped before the 
walls of his summer-palace, (which stood in the ad- 
jacent country), and set fire to its stores and its har- 
vests with his own hand. This disinterested example 
was followed by hundreds; and the fields of Moscovy 
every where showed the smoking ashes of the yellow 
treasures of the year. Buonaparte had formed no idea 
of such a spirit of loyalty; he could not, therefore, 
prepare against it; and, though he saw himself seated 
in the ancient throne of the empire's wealth and 
power, he found his people were perishing in famine^ 
and his cavalry hourly wasting away. 

Where then was the plentiful winter quarters the 
JFrench leader had promised to his followers? He 
found only a few dying invalids, or a band of despe- 
rate patriots, with women devoted to their fates, deter- 
mined to abide by their native city to the last! It was 



212 

impoverished; it was become a circle of barren houses 
and walls! 

Napoleon for a time dissembled the excess of his 
disappointment, and the extreme of his danger, on 
the discovery of this desert, where a Mahometan 
paradise was expected. At last, rendered desperate by 
the miseries and rebellious state of his army, he form- 
ed the resolution to avenge them and himself upon 
the falling towers of Moscow. He had found it like 
Palmyra in the wilderness, noble in ruins: — he was 
determined to leave it a shapeless heap of stones. 



Such was the state of Moscow when Napoleon and 
his army entered it; such was the miserable situation 
of his soldiers; and yet, that the world may never 
want a criterion by which to judge of the truth of his 
representations, we have these bulletins of the jiou- 
fishing condition of the French legions, of the over- 
sowing abundance which met them at the city's gates. 

We have it thus, in the twentieth bulletin, which 
Buonaparte dates from Moscow, September 17th. 

^^ The resources the army have found here are 
much diminished, by the attempts of the enemy to 
destroy them entirely; but our fortune has been supe- 



21S 

rior to their contrivance; and we have gathered, and 
still continue to collect, a vast quantity of necessaries. 

" The cellars have not been touched by the fire; 
and, during the last twenty-four hours, the inhabitants 
have saved many valuable articles. Indeed, on the 
first discovery of the nobility's design to burn the 
city, these honest people endeavoured to arrest the 
progress of the flames; but in vain, for the governor 
had taken the horrible precaution to carry off" or de- 
stroy all the fire engines. 

" The army is recovering from its fatigues. We 
have bread in abundance, and potatoes, cabbages, and 
other vegetables; also meat, salted provisions, wine, 
brandy, sugar, coffee; in a word, provisions of every 
sort. 

" The temperature is yet that of autumn. The sol 
diers continually find numbers of pelisses and furs for 
winter. Moscow was the depot for these commodities." 

The next bulletin supplies any deficiency his troops 
might have in arms, cannon, or gunpowder; and shot 
and shells of every description, they found by hun- 
dreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. 

The twenty-second bulletin adds floods of wine and 
brandy, and whole magazines of furs, sugars, clothes, 
&c. &c. &c. 

These valuable articles continued to grow in plen- 
tiful crops out of the earth, so late as the 27th of 
September; and, during the extraordinary harvest, 
the French troops did not fail to revive in due vigour 



214 

from all their wants and toils. But, surprising to re^ 
late, on the 14th of October (only seventeen days 
after this great repletion!) we find all these abundant 
resources consumed and devoured! the ammunition 
expended! the provisions eaten up! the clothes and 
furs worn out! and the lately well- provided army re- 
duced at once, as if by a magician's wand, to famine 
and nakedness! 

The whole fabric had been a creature of Buona- 
parte's own imagination; and the wonder ceases, that 
the vision should dissolve, and leave not a wreck be- 
hind! It did dissolve, but the wreck was vast and 
many; the wreck, not of the riches he found, but of 
the ruin he rendered yet more desolate. 

After having wasted nearly five weeks in vain 
boasts, and as vain hopes, the French leader deemed 
it prudent to leave a place which only presented to his 
view the possible grave of his ambition, and a perpe- 
tual memento of the patriotic firmness of the Russian 
people. 

The sacking and burning of the city of Moscow, 
by this man of the earth, (to whom so many infatuated 
spirits, even at this hour, are ready to build altars,) 
was immediately followed by an attempt from the 
same godlike hand, to destroy the Kremlin. While he 
flattered himself with the probability of maintaining 
his possession of the Capital, he had employed some 
of his men in materially strengthening the military 
part of this great fortress. He now ordered it to be 
undermined, and filled with combustibles, and gun- 



215 

powder, ready for the fusee. We cannot better ex= 
press the comprehensive plan of this destruction, nor 
describe the eflects of the desolation he had already 
wrought, than by transcribing a few paragraphs from 
his own report on the subject. 

" When Moscow ceased to exist!" saith the Imperial 
amanuensis, " the Emperor had determined to aban- 
don the mass of ruins, and to occupy the Kremlin with 
three thousand men. But, after a hard labour of fifteen 
days, to improve its military works, it was thought not 
to have sufficient strength to maintain itself with such 
a garrison, and without outward aid, for even the short 
term of twenty or thirty days, against any attacking 
force. Besides, the detachment would have weakened 
and embarrassed the army, without promising any ade- 
quate advantage. If we attempt to protect Moscow 
against the beggars and plunderers, who are watching 
to re-enter what were once its walls, it must be by a 
garrison of twenty thousand men. The idea is vain, 
for Moscow is now no more. What was the city, is 
become a depopulated region of noxious matter, where 
pestilence and death brood continually over the reek- 
ing mass. 

" A desperate multitude; two hundred thousand 
houseless wretches, who all day wander in the neigh- 
bouring woods perishing with hunger, appear in troops 
at night amid the rubbish of the suburbs, seeking in 
their heaps, for some means to sustain famishing na^ 
ture, some solitary vegetable, in the exhausted gar- 
dens. 



216 

" When we view the desert, and its miserable in- 
habitants, it appears useless to compromise any of our 
own advantages for such an object. The site of Mos« 
cow, is no longer a place of military importance, or a 
point of political interest. 

" Ail the adjoining buildings having been emptied 
with great care; and the Kremlin being judiciously 
mined, at two o'clock in the morning of the 23d of 
October, it was blown into the air by the Duke of 
Trevise (Mortier). The arsenal, the barracks, the 
magazines, all have been destroyed. This ancient 
citadel, from whence is dated the foundation of the 
Empire! This first palace of the Tzars, exists no more! 

*' Of four thousand superb houses of stone, which 
Moscow contained, there now only remains two hun- 
dred. It was reported that one-fourth of the whole 
number had escaped; but in this false calculation, 
eight hundred churches were taken into the account, 
and even they were almost all heavily damaged. With 
palaces, churches, and public structures, fell also whole 
streets of less considerable buildings; and, out of eight 
thousand houses of wood, only five hundred remained 
undestroyed. 

*' When this great retribution was made, it was 
suggested to the Emperor ^ still further to chastise the 
Russians, by burning the two thousand villages which 
surround Moscow, and all the castles and country 
houses in its vicinity. Four columns, of two thousand 
men each, were proposed to be sent out in every di- 
rection, to a distance of twenty leagues, to set fire to. 



217 

and devastate every object in their path. Such a gene- 
ral desolation, observed the advisers of this scheme, 
will teach the Russians to make war according to its 
received rules; and not like Tartars. If they burn one 
village or house, we ivill punish the act, by burning a 
hundred. 

*' The Emperor refused to adopt this system, which 
he said, would only aggravate the misfortunes of the 
people; and out of the nine hundred proprietors of the 
castles proposed to be destroyed, there were, perhaps, 
but one hundred who were sincerely the partisans of 
Rastapchin, the Marat of Russia! The other eight hun= 
dred, continued the great Napoleon, are brave men^ 
already too much the victims of despotic power. We 
will not then, for the sake of vengeance against a hun- 
dred guilty wretches, involve eight thousand and nine 
hundred innocent persons in utter ruin. And should 
we consent to the destruction of the villages, would 
there not be two thousand helpless peasants, left with- 
out resource or shelter? 

*' In conformity with these gracious sentiments, the 
Emperor was contented with the annihilation of the 
citadel, and other military buildings; and while the 
work of destruction proceeded, he forbade that the 
individuals should be harmed who had already suf- 
fered so severely from the consequences of war." 

How gladly would humanity trace any affinity with 
its own nature, in the character of even the most 
cruel tyrant. It is grateful to the heart that wishes the 
good of every fellow creature, to see the germs of 

2 E 



218 

virtue in some transaction of the being whose ordi- 
nary actions are ever demonstrative of his delight in 
crime. So would we hail any appearance of mercy in 
the warfare of a man who, for so many years, has held 
Europe steeped in blood. But the licensed scene of 
ravage so lately exhibited in the capital of the Tzars, 
unequivocally proves that Napoleon spared the distant 
villages and castles around Moscow, because they 
were out of the reach of his hands. Those which were 
in its immediate vicinity experienced all the horrors 
of fire and sword. 

Every preparation having been rapidly made to put 
the army in motion, Buonaparte in person, with a tone 
of hilarity, informed his troops, that he was conduct- 
ing them to winter quarters. " Je veux vous conduire 
dans vos quartiers-d'hiver, (said he) si je rencontre 
les Russes dans mon chemin, je les battrai. Si non, 
tant mieux pour eux." 

Could defeat and wretchedness have laughed in de- 
rision at the boasting which had ruined them, the men 
who heard this gasconade must have been so moved. 
But their leader knew them well. They forgot their 
own misery while inflicting distress on others; and in 
the rage of plunder, believed themselves enjoying the 
triumph of victory. 



219 



While these things were transacting in Moscow and 
its adjoining camp, the detachments of General Ba- 
ron Vinzingorode continued to keep on the alert; and 
daily brought to his head-quarters at Klim, a conside= 
rable number of prisoners. Colonel Benkendorf, one 
of his Imperial Majesty's aide-de-camps, at the head 
of his little division, (which was stationed between the 
city of Volokolamsk and Mojaisk) ably fulfilled his 
duty of observation; and sent in, amongst other pri= 
soners, one French courier with dispatches.* 

The object of the French, whenever they were seen 
abroad, seemed solely to procure provisions and fo- 
rage. But in almost every attempt they were disap- 
pointed, and so pressed by the Russian light troops 
and the peasantry, that their commanders found it 
necessary to cover every marauding party with a 
strong escort. 

On the 5th of October, the enemy dispatched from 
Moscow a detachment of more than usual strength: it 
was composed of six thousand infantry, with several 
regiments of cavalry, and six pieces of artillery, under 
the command of General Delson. It took the road to 
Dimitroff. The Cossacs, who were in observation in 
that direction, encountered the detachment, but were 

* At the end of the volume, Letters from Buonaparte, in these 
dispatches, may be found. 



220 

soon obliged to fall back; leaving the road to Yarras- 
laiF quite open to the depredators. By this partial ad- 
vantage on their side, the communication between 
that city and Baron Vinzingorode was cut off. In the 
case of this successful body being followed up by 
one of increased force, which might be intended to 
get round his left, and approach the government of 
Twer, Vinzingorode took the precaution to inform 
the governor of that province of his apprehensions; 
and to suggest similar vigilance on its part with that 
of his own little army. He strengthened his recon- 
noitring parties with his best troops, and so disposed 
them, that he did not allow the enemy's flank a mo- 
ment's repose. 

Menacing as were now the columns which issued 
from the French camp at Moscow, no idea was en- 
tertained of their object, but that of plundering in 
greater security; and the Cossac picquets corroborat- 
ed this impression, by reporting the continued sack- 
ing and burning of the villages in the neighbourhood 
of these excursions. 

On the 10th of October, the enemy pushed on, and 
possessed himself of the city of Dimitroff; laying 
waste the country on all sides; and then turned his 
face towards Klim. On the same day, another de- 
tachment left Moscow, taking the St. Petersburg!! 
road, and passing through Tscherni-grease, halted 
about six wersts from that place. 

These movements seemed for something more 
than foragCj and to threaten the force of General Vin- 



221 

zingorode. He was too weak, in the present dismem- 
bered state of his division, to oppose an attack; and, 
therefore, to prepare for it, should one be intended, 
he recalled the troops under Colonel Benkendorf, and 
any which his detachments on the various roads could 
spare. With this firm little band, he remained in 
front of the town of Klim to arrest the advance of the 
enemy in that direction. 

Notwithstanding these hostile movements, no affair 
of any consequence immediately took place. Prison- 
ers continued to be taken in slight skirmishes, and 
numbers of Westphalian Saxons, and other German 
soldiers, fled daily from their oppressor towards the 
Russian lines. The report of these men, apprised the 
Baron of the real intentions of Napoleon. They in- 
formed him that the greater part of the French army 
had broken up its camp at Moscow, and under its 
ambitious leader had taken its course towards the 
rich provinces of the empire, where the Russian grand 
army then stood. 

This intelligence explained the nature of the de- 
monstrations Vinzingorode had collected his troops 
to oppose. The advanced movements in his direction, 
were only to conceal that of their main body to the 
contrary point. 

The Cossacs in the neighbourhood of DimitrofF, 
gave information at head-quarters that the French 
General Dalzel, after ravaging the city, and maltreat- 
ing the inhabitants with every species of cruelty, had 
abandoned the place, and, followed by two hundred 



222 

carts laden with plunder, was retiring towards Mos- 
cow. 

Vinzingorode no sooner received this intelligence 
than he put himself at the head of three regiments of ca- 
valry, which were composed of Hussars, Kalmucs, and 
Cossacs, and reached the despoiled city on the evening 
©f the .I3th, just as the last ranks of the enemy's rear- 
guard were quitting it. Without losing a moment he 
caused them to be pursued and attacked. His com- 
mands were obeyed with vigour; and the success that 
attended the Russian arms drove the foe before them 
for several wersts, until darkness, and the shelter of 
the woods, stopped the operations of cavalry. Many 
prisoners were made; and one hundred carts retaken, 
filled with the effects of the plundered citizens. They 
were sent back to Dimitroff, and restored next day 
to the inhabitants. Meanwhile, the Russian troops 
followed the retrograde career of the French division, 
which did not halt till it re-entered Moscow. 

The booty which these brigands had taken, with 
the exception of a very few carts, all fell into the hands 
of the Cossacs. 

A strong party, which had been detached from 
General Dalzel's division, held a good station at Vi- 
nagraduoya, about seventeen wersts from Moscow; 
and the body of French which had been dispatched 
to Tscherni- grease, also maintained its position in 
^hat place. 

Baron Vinzingorode, while he planted his little 
army before these posts of the enemy, informed him- 



223 

self so thoroughly of the force left in Moscow, that 
he soon understood how weakly it was appointed, and 
that the forces in advance before him, and who reached 
to the Mojaisk road, were a part of the fourth division 
under the command of General Mortier. 

On the 19th of October, the enemy were observed 
to have fallen back nearer to Moscow. Upon this re- 
port, Vinzingorode gave orders to Major-General 
Iloviaskoy, to move forward on the great road, and, 
with his light cavalry reconnoitre, and discover at 
what distances they had taken up their new stations. 
Whilst Iloviaskoy advanced, the Baron meant to fol- 
low with the remainder of his division, to be in readi- 
ness to support the Major-General should circum- 
stances make it necessary. 

A few troops of the light cavalry pushed on werst 
after werst, without meeting any obstacle, to the very 
barrier of Moscow, which terminates the St. Peters- 
burgh road. They passed it, and saw only a few strag- 
gling soldiers in the suburbs. Encouraged by this 
appearance of an almost complete evacuation of the 
place, they proceeded a little farther, but only a little, 
for a formidable column of French infantry presented 
itself. The fierceness of its charge soon made the 
Russian squadrons seek a hasty retreat. They had 
hardly regained the outside of the town, when a body 
of about fifteen hundred of the enemy's cavalry issued 
from the gate. The Russian detachment must now 
have been lost, had not General Iloviaskoy happily 
arrived at the moment, with his whole force. Though 



224 

powerful in resolution, it was inferior in numerical 
strength to the French; however, its brave General 
did not stand on nice calculations; and, determined 
that his adversaries should not long drive his gallant 
little advanced party before them, he attacked their 
foremost ranks with a vigour that made them stand. 
Many noble charges were made, and though sustained 
with considerable valour by the French, their glorious 
effect was to clear the ground of the enemy, who fled 
in disorder, taking refuge in the city, and leaving 
fifty men dead on the field, with sixty-two, besides 
three officers, prisoners in the hands of the victors. 

This fortunate affair enabled Baron Vinzingorode 
to draw the circle of his positions closer to the town, 
and to establish his out-posts within two wersts of it. 

On the other side of Moscow, an equal success 
attended the Cossacs, who, on the road leading to 
Dimitroff*, had encountered several bodies of the 
enemy, killed many, made others prisoners, and drove 
the remainder to seek their shelter also in the deso- 
lated city. Having done this service, they established 
their out-posts at a short distance from the quarter, 
within whose gates their enemies had fled. 

The vicinity of Zwinigorod was freed from its 
marauders, by the incessant watchfulness and resolu- 
tion of the detachment planted as its protection. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Tchernisouloff", who was its comman- 
der, carried his gallantry so far as to push on to the 
high road between Ghatz and Wiazma. The opposi- 
tion he met in this enterprise was obstinate and san 



225 

guinary, but his determined spirit overcame every 
obstacle, and after a hard contest, he took a whole 
detachment (inchiding its officers) prisoners. When 
he sent the account of his success to head quarters^ 
he reported that the road, on which he was pursuing 
his advantage was covered with countless waggons; 
some, he said, he was informed, were filled with 
ammunition, bt the most were vehicles for the sick 
and the wounded. The latter, he added, must soon 
be relieved of their load, for the number who hourly 
die, and are thrown out in heaps on the road, line the 
way wdth horrible vestiges of perishing mortality. 

Between the 2d of October, and the 16th of the 
same month, the Russian division that protected the 
direction of St. Petersburgh, forwarded to the go- 
vernment depot at Twer, nearly a thousand prisonerSj, 
officers and men; and, in taking these proofs of their 
successes, they did not lose more than twenty Cos- 
sacs, forty soldiers of the line, and two officers. 

Baron Vinzingorode, having thus nearly encircled 
the capital with the forces under his command, and 
finding that the enemy, as well as the victorious Rus- 
sians, was daily drawing from its garrison, resolved 
to make one essay, at least, to restore the city of .the 
Tzars to its ancient empire. To be an instrument in 
such an act was indeed an animating thought to every 
soldier that composed his little army; and all were 
eager to follow their intrepid General to an achieve- 
ment, so worthy of immortal fame. 

On the 22d of October, the determined Vinzingc^- 
2F 



226 

rode gave orders for the troops under Major-General 
Iloviaskoy to advance; and those under Benkendorf, 
were to follow with the rest of the division. The 
Baron, whose heroic soul was all in arms, at this mo- 
ment so critical to his sovereign and to his own repu- 
tation, placed himself, with his aide-de-camp the brave 
Captain Narishkin, at the head of five hundred Cos- 
sacs. They rushed to the attack; they passed the 
barriers of the city; and, seconded by the troops of 
Iloviaskoy, they speedily overthrew the infantry and 
scattered squadrons of the enemy, and constrained 
them, after suffering a considerable loss, to seek pro- 
tection under the guns of the citadel. 

In order to make it known to the chief of the 
French garrison that any longer resistance on his part 
would only be the sacrifice of every soul under his 
command, the white signal of amity was taken in the 
hand of the victorious Vinzingorode, who, with his 
aide-de-camp Narishkin (a hero, like himself, as full 
of clemency as of courage,) galloped forward, waving 
the pledge of honour and of mercy. 

But they had not men to deal with who had been 
educated in the school of heroes, in which the Mont- 
morency and the Conde had been professors. The 
foe to whom the generous sons of Russia now offered 
the affiance of reciprocal honour, had learnt their 
creed of military policy from warriors of a different 
stamp; from a leader, and his myrmidons, who set at 
nought the vows of man to man, the laws of religion, 
the bonds of .national esteem, and even the common 
respect of honesty to honesty in the simplest transac- 



227 

lions of life. From a banditti of this sort, the gallant 
Vinzingorode could meet with no reception answera- 
ble to the magnanimous spirit, which brought him 
from the acclaim of victory, to offer, in the midst of 
their bleeding ranks, the palm of mercy to his perish- 
ing enemies. The emblem of peace which he held in 
his hand, was not regarded. They saw their conque- 
ror in their power, and the ungrateful wretches whom 
his clemency alone had preserved, rushed in between 
him and his advancing dragoons, and carried both him 
and his brave aide-de-camp prisoners into the Kremlin* 

This event happened before Buonaparte thought 
fit to dispatch orders for the final demolition of that 
fortress: and the baseness of this breach of truce was 
so conspicuous, that every one believed the measure 
of French iniquity in Moscow quite filled upj until 
the moment arrived when the horrid mandate was 
given for destroying a structure which had stood the 
storms of ages; and then every brave heart in the era= 
pire was wrung, as if it had listened to the death- 
warrant of a revered parent. 

The mines were completed: the walls, the towers, 
the arsenal, the palace, and the great church, now 
stood upon a heap of combustibles; a few sparks were 
only necessary to level to the ground this place, which 
the fathers of the empire had raised; and, even the 
most barbarous adversaries had spared, in reverence 
to the patriarchal ages of Russian heroism! 

The morning of the 23d of October, at an early 
hour, was destined to witness the destruction of the 



228 

Kremlin, and of all the buildings attached to its bul- 
warks. Almost the whole of its French garrison re- 
tired during the night preceding the moment intended 
for springing the train, only leaving a small detach- 
ment of desperate spirits, who, instigated by a great 
reward, had pledged themselves not to rejoin the army 
until they had reduced the Kremlin to a heap of ashes. 

At two o'clock in the morning, the first explosion 
took place. The Russian General, who had meditated 
an attack, seized on this signal of destruction, as that 
for rushing on its perpetrators; and, before another 
mine ceuld be sprung, the dauntless Iloviaskoy with 
Bis brave followers forced the gates, and assaulting 
the wretches with the very fire-brands in their hands, 
took them all prisoners. 

Thus were the intentions of Napoleon frustrated; 
the glory of Moscow, which he thought to have ex- 
tinguished in the ruin of the Kremlin, was preserved; 
and the ancient capital of the Empire, restored to its 
lawful Sovereign! Proud was the moment to Ilovias- 
koy, when he planted the eagles of his country again 
in the citadel of Moscow, On examining the damage 
done to the Kremlin, from the effects of the mine, he 
found it comparatively trifling, with the mischief in- 
tended. Only a small part of the wall, and one of the 
towers had been thrown down. The citadel, the palace^ 
the arsenal, and other public buildings were entire; 
and will henceforth stand, a monument to future agesj 
not only of the magnificence of Russian SovereignSj 
but of the impotent rage, and arrogant falsehood of 



229 

the ambitious tyrant of the French. He boasted that 
all had been completely destroyed; his words are, 
" the Kremlin exists no more!" Had his plan for its 
destruction been executed in its full extent, hundreds 
of his own sick and wounded followers must have 
perished in the various explosions; for the churches, 
and other large buildings of this immense fortress, 
were filled with them. With these miserable wrecks 
of human nature, the Russian soldiers found in the 
Kremlin, forty-two pieces of cannon, two hundred and 
thirty-seven ammunition waggon-loads of cartridges, 
fifty-four waggons with pontoons, nine with imple- 
ments of war of all kinds, eleven with flying forges, 
and thirty-five intended Jor provisions. That these last 
had been long empty, and had no means of being re- 
plenished was evident in the famished aspects of the 
wretched invalids. Their state of suffering from their 
wounds, their diseases, and their want, was beyond 
imagination, horrible. Dreadful as was the alternative, 
had Buonaparte persisted in exposing his followers, 
to the miseries of craving nature, at Moscow, the 
explosion of the Kremlin would have been a blessing 
to all who perished in its fires. 

As soon as it was known in the surrounding coun- 
try that Moscow was again in the power of the Rus- 
sians, thousands of its fugitives crowded in from all 
quarters. But how distressing was the scene! In vain 
did they look for their homes: scarcely a house was 
left standing— -The streets were heaps of rubbish; 
and, only, after great labour to clear a passage to their 



230 

entrances, could the poor creatures find a shelter in 
the cellars. Into these dismal vaults did the fainting 
and eager multitude throw themselves in crowds, to 
find protection from the inclemency of the approach- 
ing: season. Six or seven wretched families would 
press together into one narrow chamber, without light 
and without heat, too happy to conceal their naked- 
ness from the day, and to still the pangs of hunger 
with some of the food the charity of their brave coun- 
trymen had prepared for them. Buonaparte, the cause 
of all their miseries, had but too truly represented 
their wretched state. They had been wandering many 
dreadful weeks, in the adjacent woods; famine and 
suffering of every kind their constant companions. 

How many frantic mothers, there cast their chil- 
dren, gasping for life and nourishment, beneath the 
trees, and turned away their heads that they might not 
see them die! And now, when they returned to the 
ashes of their former dwellings, sad indeed was the 
lamentation which was raised. Some wept for their 
perished infants; some for the husbands of their hearts; 
some for the several dear connexions of father, son, 
and brother; and others mourned their hearths, which 
no longer existed to bear even the remembrance of 
happiness departed for ever. 

General Iloviaskoy, as humane as brave, having 
rescued the remains of Moscow, turned his whole at- 
tention towards ameliorating the condition of the in- 
habitants. Until the proper steps could be taken for 
the re-establishment in the city of the ancient military 



231 

and civil institutions, he made every personal exertion 
to erase apprehension from the minds of the people, 
and to restore them to composure and to comfort. 

He relieved the natural horror which they all felt at 
the presence of a Frenchman, even if he were a cap- 
tive, by sending the prisoners, who were able to 
move, (which amounted to no more than six hun- 
dred, many having died from the weakness conse- 
quent to their antecedent wants) to Twer. The sick 
and wounded, who still existed in the Foundling 
hospital, and other infirmaries of the Kremlin, the 
merciful Iloviaskoy treated no longer as enemies, but 
directed that their quarters should be made comfort- 
able, and put over them two of their own surgeons 
who had been taken prisoners. 

Ye who have the blindness still to call the Russian, 
a barbarian nation; ye who speak with what the 
Scotch would call a glamoured vision of Napoleon's 
warfare; compare these characteristics of the two peo- 
ple, and say, which is civilized, which is human! If 
nature may utter the truth, the spell is broken, and 
the tyrant will no longer be mistaken for a demi-god. 

When the ravages of the fires, lit by the emissaries 
of Buonaparte, were stopped by the vigorous efforts 
of the Russian soldiery; the half- famished natives who 
poured in from the woods; and the perishing inhabi- 
tants, who crept from their vaulted sanctuaries in 
the city, offered themselves to assist in clearing the 
squares and streets from the numerous bodies, both 
of horse and man, which lay in every direction, block- 



2S2 

ing up the passage, and polluting the air. Even the 
sacred pavements of the churches, were strewed with 
pestilential carcases. There, the patriot had died to 
preserve his altars from profanation; and there the 
sacrilegious violator had expired under all the tor- 
tures of disease and famine. But the exposed remains 
of human mortality was not sufficient indignity in the 
eyes of him who had worshipped the Goddess of 
French Republicanism; and who had bowed to Ma- 
homet in the Pyramids of Egypt:— He introduced 
beasts of burthen into the churches of Moscow, to 
defile their altars; he poured out the blood of every 
living creature, on the pavement, who dared to con- 
tend with his will, or to say—" Respect the house 
consecrated to the Creator; spare the martyr who 
would die in its defence!" 

All were active, to the extremest exertion of their 
strength, to remove objects so agonizing to their hearts, 
so dangerous to their existence; for the air had already 
become heavily infected with putridity. As you looked 
from the doors of the churches, along the streets, and 
over the squares, this sea of desolation presented to 
the eye in one view, the united ravages of a plague, 
with the bleeding horrors of a merciless war. 

In the course of a few days, the surface of the main 
streets was cleared, by throwing the dead bodies into 
the river Moskva, but the narrow lanes were yet 
blocked up with strongly wedged heaps of slain; the 
murdered which lay in the wells, many of the cellars j 
and under all the ruins, were incalculable^, and from 



233 

the stench, could not be removed. The dread of a 
pestilence now spread itself over the city; indeed no- 
thing could have averted its ravages but the rigour of 
the season, which soon put the atmosphere in chains. 

On the 28th of October, Major-General IvashkiUj 
the chief master of police, returned to the city, and 
resumed his functions. The Military Governor, the 
magnanimous Count Rastapchin was soon expected. 
All hearts opened to welcome a patriot whose name 
must ever be remembered with veneration and grati- 
tude. Buonaparte, (whose personal enmity to an ene= 
my, is ever a proof of that enemy's fealty to his own 
country,) when he writes of Count Rastapchin, cannot 
forbear endorsing the diploma of his merits, with a 
thousand epithets of abuse. 

The patriotic reader need only read a transcript of 
the letter which this judicious and disinterested noble- 
man affixed to a gate opposite to his palace, in the 
country, (to which noble building he set fire with his 
own hands;) to understand how well Rastapchin de- 
served the hatred of the enemies of Russia. 

" For eight years, I found my pleasure in embel? 
iishing this country retreat. I lived here in perfect 
happiness, within the bosom of my family; and those 
around me, largely partook of my felicity. But you 
approach! and the peasantry of this domain, to the 
number of one thousand seven hundred and twenty 
human beings, fly far away; and I put the fire to my 
house! We abandon all, we consume ally that neither 

2 G 



:i34 

ourselves nor our habitations may be polluted with 
your presence. 

"Frenchmen, I left to your avidity, two of my 
houses in Moscow, full of furniture and valuables to 
the amount of half a million of roubles. Here, you 
will find nothing but ashes. 

(Signed) ** Fed or., Count Rastapchin.^'* 

" The moment the news was brought to Field-Mar- 
shal KoutousofF, that Moscow was again in the hands 
of his troops, he spread the happy intelligence through- 
out the army and the empire in the following animated 
address:— 

ORDER ISSUED TO THE ARMIES, 

OCTOBER 19th, O. S. 31st N. S. 

The following Declaration is given for the Instruction 
of all the Troops under my Command. 

*' At the moment in which the enemy entered Mos- 
cow, he beheld the destruction of those preposterous 
hopes by which he had been flattered: he expected to 
find there Plenty and Peace; and on the contrary he 
saw himself devoid of every necessary of life; harassed 
by the length of continued marches; exhausted for 
want of provisions; wearied and tormented by our 
parties intercepting his slender succours; losing with- 
out the honour of battle, thousands of his troops, cut 
off by our provincial detachments; and no prospect 



235 

before him but the vengeance of an armed nation, 
threatening annihilation to the whole of his army. In 
every Russian he beheld a hero, equally disdainful 
and abhorrent of his deceitful promises: in every state 
of the empire he met an additional and insurmount- 
able rampart opposed to his strongest efforts. After 
sustaining incalculable losses by the attacks of our 
brave troops, he recognised at last, the phrensy of 
his expectations, that the foundations of the empire 
would be shaken by his occupation of Moscow. No- 
thing remained for him, but a precipitate flight: the 
resolution was no sooner taken, than it was executed; 
and he fled, abandoning nearly the whole of his sick, 
to the mercy of an outraged people, and leaving 
Moscow on the 11th of this month, completely eva- 
cuated. 

" The horrible excesses which he committed, while 
in that city, are already well known, and have left an 
inexhaustible sentiment of vengeance in the depths of 
every Russian heart; but I have to add, that his impo- 
tent rage exercised itself, in blowing up part of the 
Kremlin, where, by a signal interposition of Divine 
Providence, the sacred Temples and Cathedral have 
been saved. 

" Let us then hasten to pursue this impious enemyj 
while other Russian armies once more occupying Li- 
thuania, act in concert with us for his destruction! 
Already do we behold him in full flight, abandoning 
his baggage, burning his war-carriages, and reluc- 
tantly separating himself from those treasures^ which 



236 

his profane hands had torn from the very altars of 
God. Already desertion and famine spread confusion 
before Napoleon; and behind him, arise the murmurs 
of his troops, like the roar of threatening waves. While 
these appalling sounds attend the retreat of the French, 
in the ears of the Russians resounds the voice of their 
magnanimous monarch. Listen soldiers! while he thus 
addresses you! ' Extinguish the flames of Moscow, in 
the blood of our invaders!' Russians! let us obey this 
solemn command! our injured country, appeased by 
this just vengeance, will then retire satisfied from the 
field of war, and behind the line of her extensive fron- 
tiers, will take her august station, between Peace and 
Glory! 

" Russian warriors! God is our Leader!. 

(Signed) 

^^ Marechal Prince Golenistsheff Koutousoffl 
" General in Chief of all the Armies." 



The army of General Essen had remained, since 
the affair of the 23d of August, without being en- 
gaged in any enterprize of considerable moment. Its 
position was nearly the same as that which it took up 
immediately after the contest of that day; and the 
attitude was so menacing, that a month elapsed^ and 



237 

still the enemy evinced no signs of venturing again to* 
disturb its heroic vigilance. 

The communication was uninterrupted between the 
armies of Essen and of Vigtenstein; and, had it not 
been for some slight firings from the French advanced 
posts, no symptoms would have appeared of any wish 
to interrupt it. 

Essen was informed that considerable bodies of the 
division opposed to him, had fallen back from Mittau, 
and left that city with a very inadequate guard. He 
lost no time in making preparations to possess himself 
of a place which, he knew, had long been the inter- 
mediate depot of the enemy for its provisions, and 
other necessaries required in that quarter. 

With this view he ordered a strong force to ad- 
vance to Mittau. At the moment they set out, he 
placed himself at their head. As they proceeded, he 
descried some Prussian troops on the road leading to 
Baousk; but they retired with precipitation on per= 
ceiving the Russians, and left the country quite open 
to their operations. Essen pushed on his cavalry, and, 
following soon after, entered the city without opposi- 
tion on the 29th of September. He took fifty effective 
soldiers prisoners, and found about one hundred and 
fifty wounded in the hospital. Four pieces of brass 
ordnance fell into his hands, and also a vast quantity 
of provisions, with the whole mass of pelisses which 
had been collected from the requisition for furs, levied 
on the province of Courland. These last articles were 
of the utmost consequence to the well-being of the 



238 

army that possessed them in the cold season. That 
was now fast approaching, and the want of furs during 
a winter's campaign in this northern climate, was a 
calamity almost as great as the want of food. 

General D'York, who commanded in chief in this 
quarter, did not allow the Russians to remain long in 
unmolested possession of this city; and, whilst he or- 
dered General Grawart to move upon Riga through 
Eckau, D'York himself advanced towards Mittau, t© 
drive Essen from his newly-acquired post. 

The Russian General informed himself of his ad- 
versary's strength; and finding that it lay principally 
in cavalry, (a force particularly adapted to the nature 
of the ground on which they were,) and aware that his 
own little army was much inferior in this point; thought 
it most prudent not to risk the lives of his soldiers in 
so manifest a disadvantage, but to withdraw in good 
order from the city. Before he made this movement, 
he took possession of all its military stores, and then 
retired from the place in the direction of Riga. By 
this march, he meant to unite his division with that of 
Lieutenant General Count Steingel, who was acting in 
front of the enemy, and who had left Riga a few days 
before, the better to cover it from the French, who 
threatened to approach it from the vicinity of Peter- 
gofF, a town near which they hovered in great num- 
bers. This station afforded them many advantages, as 
it was situated near to the roads that led to Dalenkirk 
and Eckau. 

Difficulties only stimulated the military talents of 



239 

the gallant Steingel, and he distributed with admira- 
ble judgment, the several, corps of his detachment 
along the most commanding points that lay between 
the enemy and his nearer approximation to Riga. To 
this end, he placed his advanced guard, under the 
immediate orders of Major-General VeliaminofF, some 
wersts in front of a small village called Garossen, and 
which covered the road to Eckau. His left was near 
that town, and extended along the high road on tlie 
opposite side of a neighbouring rivulet. 

On the morning of the 31st of September, the whole 
of his advanced posts, consisting of Cossacs and hus- 
sars, were attacked. They defended themselves in a 
style of such intrepidity that the enemy was checked 
at this point with considerable loss. The movement 
the French now made, induced General Veliaminoff 
to suspect that their next assault would be upon his 
left flank, the command of which he had entrusted to 
Colonel Count Galatee. His impression proved just; 
for, in the course of a few minutes the enemy, in 
great strength, crossed the rivulet, and charged upon 
his left column. To repel this, the Russian artillery 
and tirailleurs opened a heavy fire, which told so well 
upon the advancing troops, that they retired with pre- 
cipitation; but a reinforcement with some pieces of 
ordnance coming to their support, after two attempts, 
their infantry penetrated to the high road near the vil- 
lage of Greden. VeliaminofF observed the advantage 
the French had gained, and, determined to dislodge 
rtiem, dispatched a battalion of infantry, with Cossacs 



240 

and artillery, to attack them in this (Quarter. The con- 
test was obstinate; but at last the brave Russians had 
the satisfaction of compelling their enemy to re- cross 
the rivulet, with a severe loss, and the dismounting of 
two of his guns. However he passed again, higher up 
the stream, sending forward a considerable force of 
infantry and artillery, with the intention of more effec- 
tually turning the Russian left flank. Here again the 
battle re-commenced; and, during four repeated efforts 
on the side of the French, was maintained with tre- 
mendous fury until night closed the scene; and then the 
enemy, discomfited in all his ranks, thought it prudent 
to retire under the cover of the darkness. 

The Russian advanced guard was left victorious, 
and masters of the same ground they had occupied at 
the beginning of the affair. 

The loss on either side did not appear at all pro- 
portionate to the violence with which the combat had 
been fought. Four or five hundred, including killed 
and wounded, were all that suffered on that day.' 

Although this affair was spoken of by the French 
as a slight thing, being only that of an advanced 
guard; yet it was sufficient to show them the deter- 
mined intrepidity of their foe; and, Macdonald made 
such reflections on the event as to induce him to move 
farther from his first position, and draw nearer to the 
Prussians. He was the more inclined to this measure, 
as his allies seemed likely to be in a condition to need 
his support; for news reached him on his march that 
a formidable reinforcement to the Russians had dis- 



241 

embarked at Riga from Finland, under the command 
of Colonel Ridinger. 

This step on the part of the French General consi- 
derybly facilitated the operations of Count Vigtensteiuj 
by liberating that part of his force which he had left 
to watch the enemy's motions near Dinabourg and 
towards Jacobstadt. 

Several slight affairs continued to take place along 
the left bank of the Dwina; and the activity and spirit 
of General Stcingel never failed to keep Macdonald 
on the alert. The Prussians were, on every occasion, 
backward in seconding the views of their ally; and so 
it was not to be wondered at, when they remained 
dormant to the menacing demonstrations of the Rus= 
sian Commander. 

Early in October, the General Aide-de-camp, Mar- 
quis of Paulutchi, was appointed to the command at 
Riga. The changes he made in the positions formed 
under the direction of General Essen, were very few; 
and the most prominent was placing a corps, under 
General Lewis, on the right bank of the Dwina at 
Kirkgolm, opposite to General VeliaminofF's left flank, 
which was then stationed near Dalenkirke. This move- 
ment was to prevent Riga being menaced on that sidej 
and also to frustrate any attempts of the enemy to make 
excursions into Livonia. 

From the troops of Stcingel being permitted by the 
enemy to push forward with so little opposition on his 
right, it was evident he meant to abandon these parts 
of the shores of the Dwina: indeed he maintained 

2H 



242 

them with such carelessness, that the town of Frede- 
rickstadt, almost without a blow, fell into the hands of 
the Russians on the 3d of October. 

This retrograde motion of the French General, 
freed the troops of General Lewis from the necessity 
of keeping watch on their side of the Dwina; and, ac- 
cordingly, they lost no time in recrossing the river, 
and forming a junction with Veliaminoff. Though the 
Russian Generals took every advantage that offered 
itself, from these extraordinary movements of the 
French Generals, yet they could not form any satis- 
factory guess of the reasons on which they were 
founded. The Commander-in-chief at Riga thought it 
possible they meant to concentrate the 10th division 
of the French army, and then fall with its whole 
weight upon that city. The abandonment of the shore 
of the Dwina, by the enemy, so high up as Frederick- 
stadt, was soon followed by a similar desertion all 
along its banks, even to Dinabourg; and the troops, 
as they withdrew, were observed to take the road to 
Essoros. 

Meanwhile, the detachment in advance from Riga, 
under Steingel, steadily pursued its march; and on 
the 10th of October found itself opposite to a part of 
Count Vigtenstein's army near Drissa. This fortunate 
junction decided the Count on immediately attempt- 
ing an enterprise he had in meditation; and, with this 
in view, he moved in direct communication with the 
Riga troops, informing their chief of his plan to attack 
Polotzk, drive the enemy from that city, and then, 



243 

by compelling him to quit his strong position in the 
neighbourhood, force him to retreat on the Vitepsk 
road, where he would become completely exposed to 
the assaults of both corps, and be cut off from any 
hope of forming an union with Macdonald. 

To this end, Vigtenstein directed General Steingel 
to second the main body on the right bank of the 
river, by driving the enemy from his posts at Bo- 
nonia and Rondna; and, if possible, to possess him- 
self of Eknmania, and then proceed to the vicinity of 
Polotzk. The carrying of these points would prevent 
Guovion St. Cyr from crossing the Dwina at that 
city, and the consequent success must crown the 
most sanguine wishes of the Russian coadjutors. 

The two Generals being thus in possession of 
their mutual intentions, Count Vigtenstein prepared 
to move. 

On the 18th of October, (the morning of his first 
day's fighting for his present object), his army was 
posted in the following manner. His right wing ex- 
tended from the road leading to Drissa, in front of 
the village of Poplovo, on to the way of Tebeche, 
near Belse. These detachments were under the orders 
of Prince Yashville, and communicated with others 
under General SassnofF, in the neighbourhood of a 
small lake at Hotouychi. The Count himself headed 
the left and strongest division of his army; and it was 
stationed on the road leading to Nevel, at the village 
of Ourovichi. 



244 

At six o'clock the whole line began to move to the 
attack. 

St. Cyr had placed the greater part of his forces in 
advance of their fortified position, and extended his 
parties considerably in front, upon the roads occupied 
by the Russians. His redoubts and entrenchments 
had long been receiving every addition from military 
art, and the city itself was encircled by a double 
trench and strong palisado. With these protections, 
in case of a defeat, the French General thought him- 
self perfectly secure. The enterprise undertaken by 
his opponents was very daring, but the talents and 
perseverance of Vigtenstem and his Generals, pro- 
mised a brilliant result, St. Cyr was aware of the 
characters with which he had to contend; he knew 
that in proportion as the difficulties of a Russian in- 
crease, so do his courage and magnanimity. 

Before seven o'clock all the advanced guards of the 
enemy, from his right flank to his left, were hotly 
engaged. They were continually reinforced by bodies 
of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, which covered the 
bank of the Dwina; but the impetuosity of the Rus- 
sians could not be resisted, and every renewal of the 
attack compelled the French to lose ground and num- 
bers. Their right was heavily pressed by Count Vig- 
tenstein. He bore down upon it w ith a concentrated 
force, and individual acts of valour that seemed more 
like a scene of chivalry than a common battle. He 
had been joined by a little army from St. Peters- 
burgh, and these fresh soldiers, full of indignation at 



245 

the enemy, and panting for glory, charged upon them 
with an enthusiasm of valour that performed deeds 
which commanded the admiration of the oldest vete- 
ran on the field. 

St. Cyr, seeing his troops rapidly fall back, and 
that, if his present position were forced from him, 
they must be entirely lost, called up a formidable 
support of Bavarians, Saxons, and Poles. These stur- 
dy soldiers caused the ground to be again contested^ 
and by the vigour of their exertions checked the 
Russian career. 

For several hours both armies struggled for the 
advantage. They poured death into each other's ranks, 
and hundreds on each side heaped the extended plain 
so bloodily disputed. 

The French at length gave way. Their first retro- 
grade symptom was observed on the instant by the 
vigilant eye of Vigtenstein. He pushed forward a 
regiment of hussars, and a detachment of light artil- 
lery, towards the retiring point; and, by the fierceness 
of their charge, precipitated their retreat. The con- 
fusion spread to the centre, where the work of death 
was not less vehemently pursued. The left too, par- 
took of the dismay, and with one accord the whole 
line turned about, and the flight was general. 

Count Vigtenstein pursued, till the breathless ene- 
my found a shelter behind his entrenchments; and, 
the gloom of night falling upon the bloody chase, the 
victors listened disdainfully to the guns which the 
defeated opened from their batteries upon their pur- 



246 

suers, and impatiently watched the dawn of that sun 
which was to light them on the morrow to the total 
destruction of their enemies. 

Meanwhile General Steingel had pushed on to the 
town of Drouya, where he fell in with a party of 
Macdonald's corps. They attempted to stop his ad- 
vance, and, though the stand was obstinately main= 
tained, he gave them a total overthrow; and, driving 
them across the river Dissna, cleared the road through 
the city of that name. This last advantage he was the 
more eager to acquire, because it would enable him 
(should it be required) to assist the operations of his 
brave coadjutor. The loud and lengthened cannonade 
he heard, convinced him that Vigtenstein had been 
long engaged; and he lost no time in executing his 
part of their great military enterprise. 

He sent immediate dispatches of his success to the 
Count, and having received the answers he desired, 
at five o'clock in the afternoon the attacks were to be 
opened on both shores. It is scarcely possible to paint 
the burning impatience which glowed in every breast 
along the Russian line. The moment of a final victory 
©ver this division of their enemy was come, and each 
individual felt himself ennobled in the privilege of 
becoming the champion of his country, in dying for 
her rights, or conquering for her glory. 

The French eontemplated the formidable array of 
their adversaries, and opened on them the whole 
range of their batteries with a tremendous cannonade. 
The dauntless Russians grasped their bayonets, and 



247 

breasted this shower of balls, regardless of destruc- 
tion. The parapets were forced, the redoubts carried, 
and heaps of brave men fell on both sides, choking 
up the very gorges of the works with their accumu- 
lating bodies. 

The resistance made by the enemy was worthy of 
a better cause, but the determination of patriotism 
prevailed, and the emissaries of tyranny were driven 
in at all points, seeking a short protection from the 
palisadoes, and then the city. Their retreating steps 
were fast pressed by their victors, and as the latter 
advanced, the windows of the houses were filled with 
French soldiers, who poured a heavy fire of bullets 
upon the heads of the intrepid Russians. This salute 
was answered by one of more than equal power, with 
musketry, grape and ball. 

Vigtenstein gave orders for a general assault. His 
troops, who had panted for that command, rushed on 
like a torrent. Nothing withstood their ardour. The 
palisadoes yielded to the crowds which pressed over 
them; and, at a hundred points the city became the 
scene of terror and of death. Sufficient praise cannot 
be bestowed on the exertions of the generals and 
officers who headed these overwhelming bands, and 
led their spirit to so decisive a purpose. 

Amidst the crash and ruin which resounded in 
every quarter. General St. Cyr being severely wound- 
ed, and seeing that every thing was going against 
him, adopted the only means of saving the remainder 
of his army. His resolution was soon spread through- 



24B 

out his discomfited ranks, and, collecting the remnant 
of his artillery, they extricated themselves with great 
effort from the confusion in the city, and with their 
General precipitately began to cross the Dwina. 

Meanwhile, General Steingel had not been less 
fortunate. He succeeded in beating the enemy's par- 
ties at Bononia, and drove them to within four wersts 
of Polotzk, on the left bank of the Dwina. This ad- 
vantage threatened to block up the retreat of St. Cyr 
in that direction. 

Such demonstrations urged the French General to 
lose no time in accomplishing his purpose. By a 
prompt exertion he had passed over the day before, 
his wounded and guns. Being thus lightened of the 
heaviest objects of interest, with greater ease he 
moved forward his people, and by three o'clock in 
the morning of the 20th, they had made their escape 
from the city, breaking down the bridges as they 
crossed, and taking every other method of throwing 
obstacles in the way of their pursuers. He took the 
road towards Vileyka, hoping somewhere in that 
neighbourhood to fall in with General Victor, who 
had been sometime on his march to join the grand 
army. 

The loss of the enemy, during these two days, was 
great in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Amongst 
the latter were forty-five officers of different ranks, 
and two thousand soldiers. The wounded of the 18th 
of the month, having been immediately transported 
across the Dwina, their numbers cannot be accurately 



249 

stated? but the killed and wounded of the 19th must 
have amounted to three thousand. Amongst the lat- 
ter was St. Cyr himself. 

The trophies of the Russians in this affair, were 
many cannon, and several large magazines of corn 
and provisions, which the enemy had not time to de- 
stroy. 

The loss experienced by Vigtenstein, in the fall 
of his brave companions, was not inconsiderable. 
Amongst the officers wounded were Major-General 
Balk, the Princes Sibirsky and Gamen, and Colonel 
Rott; likewise the Chamberlain MordwinofF, chief of 
the division of the St. Petersburgh armament, had 
his leg shot away while gallantly leading forward his 
patriot followers. About fourteen hundred of these 
brave defenders of their country received indelible 
marks in their persons, of the glorious deeds of these 
two memorable days. Well do breasts deserve stars 
of honour from their sovereigns, which are already 
stamped with the insignia of heroism by the scars of 
many a hard- fought field. 

The list of wounded was particularly numerous in. 
this victory, for the General-in-chief found it impos- 
sible to check the ardour of the new troops. The 
moment the word was given to advance, they rushed 
forward, and threw themselves by whole columns into 
the entrenchments and batteries of the enemy. Such 
zeal gained in position what it lost in numbers; but 
it added to the honourable catalogue of those wha 

21 



250 

bled, the Generals VlastofF, SassnofF, and Dibsitch; 
Colonel Redigir, and the brave Senator BibikofF. 

General Steingel, seconded by Major-General Fock, 
added nobly to the renown of these two decisive days. 
He took six hundred prisoners, amongst whom were 
thirty-seven officers. And the cavalry of his division, 
headed by Colonel Bedriaga, were then in pursuit of 
the flying enemy. 

The sentiments of the planner of this success, may 
be found below in a letter from Count Vigtenstein to 
Lieutenant. General Count Steingel, 

*' I have the honour to congratulate your Excel- 
lency on the taking of Polotzk, for which achievement 
I feel greatly indebted to the co-operation of the corps 
under your command. 

" I hope to see you to-morrow in this city to con- 
sult with you on our future plans. 

" I beg your Excellency will order Lieutenant- 
Colonel Bedriaga to follow up the enemy as rapidly 
as possible, as my cavalry cannot, in consequence of 
the ruined state of the bridges which cross the Dwina. 

" I am this instant occupied in filling the ramparts 
of the monastry with cannon, to open upon the rem- 
nant of the enemy I can yet descry on the opposite 
shore. 

(Signed) " Count Vigtenstein, 

" General of Cavalry." 
'' Polotzk, Oct. 8th, 1812, O. S. 

Oct. 20th, 1812,. N.JS." 



251 

The success of Lieutenant-Colonel Bedriag^a was 
answerable to the hopes of the two commanders, and 
a complete clearing of this part of the country of the 
enemy, was the result. By this important series of 
events the city of St. Petersburgh was rid of the 
alarm which had possessed some of its citizens, that 
Macdonald would appear before her gates. The total 
overthrow of that General, rendered the Imperial re- 
sidence perfectly secure; and indeed it is not to be 
doubted but that the military skill of the Commander- 
in-chief on the Dwina, and gallantry of his army, 
were the salvation of that capital. But still, had it so 
happened that St. Petersburgh had followed the fate 
of Moscow, no arms could have subdued his spirit 
who held this principle; " Walls are not my empire. 
If the enemy seize on Moscow, I have St. Peters- 
burgh; if St. Petersburgh become their prey, I have 
Archangel; if Archangel be lost, I have my fleets and 
the hearts of my people, and Russia is still my em- 
pire." 

As another instance of the system of falsehood 
with which Napoleon and his Generals universally 
deceive the French nation, and make it dream of 
conquests, when the blood of its sons has in fact been 
wasted, I will finish this account of the noble day of 
Polotzk, by adding the French report of the affair, 

*' General Vigtenstein having been reinforced by 
the divisions of Russians from Finland, and a great 
part of the militia corps, attacked Marshal St. Cyr on 



252 

the 18th of October. Vigtenstein was repulsed by 
the Marshal and General Wrede, who took upwards 
of three thousand prisoners, and covered the field of 
battle with their dead. On the 20th, Marshal Govion 
St. Cyr, having learnt that the Marshal Duke of Bel- 
luno (Victor) was on his march to reinforce him, re- 
passed the Dwina to meet him. After having effected 
the junction, he means to attack Vigtenstein, and to 
oblige him to repass the Dwina. 

" Marshal Govion St. Cyr bestows the highest 
praises on his troops. The division of Swiss has dis- 
tinguished itself by its coolness and bravery. Colonel 
Guenea of the 26th regiment of infantry, has been 
wounded slightly. The Marshal St. Cyr also has re- 
ceived a ball in his foot. The Marshal Duke of Reg- 
gio (Oudinot) is arrived at the army to replace him^ 
and to re-establish the command of the second corps." 



Victory having now declared itself on ail points for 
the valiant Russians, the whole attention of the Com- 
mander-in- chief was turned to rendering it complete; 
not by driving the enemy out of the empire, but by 
holding him in it till he should expire, like Ant<euSj 
in the arms of his conqueror. 

The perilous state to which Napoleon would be 
exposed^ after having been compelled by his necessi» 



253 

ties to abandon Moscow, the extremities to which 
he must be reduced to subsist his troops, and to pro- 
vide for them a place of refuge, were all before the 
comprehensive eye of Marshal Koutousoff. He saw 
with particular satisfaction the movements of the 
enemy, and the direction in which they were march- 
ing. He was directly in their front; and, on the mo- 
ment of their evacuation of the city, he dispatched 
orders to the different branches of the Russian army, 
wherever they might be stationed, to move inward, 
and draw rapidly around the invader. By this ma- 
noeuvre he would meet an opposition at every point 
whence he had thought it possible to make a retreat; 
and his troops, finding themselves encompassed by 
walls of circumvallation more impregnable than stone 
and iron bulwarks — -the stedfast phalanx of the Rus- 
sian empire in arms!-^must either surrender in des- 
pair, or perish within the circle. 

Couriers were dispatched to Vigtenstein, who, 
having freed himself from his antagonist, was com- 
manded to move forward, and in a direction to meet 
the armies of the Danube and of Tormazoff, which 
had united on the 17th of September in the neigh- 
bourhood of Loutzk. Orders were sent to their com- 
manders also, to push forward towards Minsk, to 
check the French who moved in that quarter. 

General Tormozoff, after defeating the enemy in 
August, (as has been stated), retired. upon Kobrine, 
where he remained for some time, annoying the Saxon 
and Austrian divisions by continually intercepting 



254 

the eonvoys of every description, which came from 
the Duchy of Warsaw by the way of Brestlitofsky. 

Having performed these services, and being ap- 
prised of the advance of the army of the Danube un- 
der the command of Admiral Tchitchagoff", he took 
immediate steps to form a junction with that army, 
and to draw closer his chain of communication with 
the division that was organizing at Mazir under the 
direction of Lieutenant-General Hertel. 

To effect these objects he fell back to the bank of 
the river Styr, near the city of Loutzk. 

The enemy, not aware of the purpose of these 
movements, revived in hope, and lost no time in 
over-running the small part of Volhynia just left; and 
General Dombrofsky with his Polish division (which 
had occupied Mohiloff on the departure of Prince 
Poniatofsky), showed himself in every quarter. With 
an admirable activity he dispatched his parties in 
every direction, and by these links (for a short time 
at least) kept up an uninterrupted communication 
with the corps of Renier and Prince Swartzenburg. 
His detachments were at Gloutzk, Pinzk, and the 
other towns and villages situated between him and 
the divisions of the French and Austrian Generals, 
whose line stretched to the shores of the Boug, near 
Olesk and KoveL 

During the time that Tormozoff awaited on the 
banks of the Styr the coming up of the army from 
Moldavia, his advanced posts and reconnoitring par- 
ties had several smart skirmishes with those of the 



255 

enemy. They kept each other on the continual alert, 
and renewed the contest day by day, at every oppor- 
tunity of meeting, although the one side fought with 
the disadvantage of the fortune of the hour almost 
Constantly fixing itself upon the Russian sword. The 
Cossacs daily passed the river a la nage, and brought 
in numbers of prisoners. 

On the 20th of September a rencontre took place 
between some cavalry of both armies, which, from its 
effects, may be considered as an affair of more than 
usual consequence. 

Count de Lambert (who commanded in the Rus- 
sian army, and was stationed on its left at Tourgo- 
vitch,) hearing that a strong body of the enemy's dra- 
goons was to march through a village at some little 
distance on the opposite bank of the Styr, ordered 
several squadrons of Cossacs, under the command of 
Colonel Prince Bragation, and Count Buchovden, 
two officers of the Imperial hussars, to cross the river 
and advance to the place through which the French 
cavalry were to pass. 

The Cossacs and their gallant leaders were soon 
over the Styr, and, reaching the village undiscovered, 
fell suddenly upon the enemy; who, not thinking to 
find their adversary so near, were taken by surprise, 
and began the contest in some confusion. It lasted 
only an hour, for the first consternation of the French 
troops never subsided; they fought in disorder, and 
soon fled with precipitation, leaving many of their 
comrades dead on the field. One hundred and fortv 



256 

soldiers, with eleven officers, were taken prisoners;, 
and three standards fell into the hands of the victors. 

The young soldiers who formed the division under 
General Hertel, and who were stationed far to the 
right of Tormozoff, were not less actively employed. 
They were eager to try their yet unpracticed armsj 
and their judicious commander did not curb their 
enthusiasm, but led them to every occasion of prov- 
ing their courage. On the beginning of August he 
learnt that Dombrofsky, who for some time had oc- 
cupied Mohiloff, was preparing to quit that place. He 
had two objects in this movement; to re-assemble his 
dispersed parties, with an intention of investing the 
city and fortress of Bobruisk, which was garrison- 
ed by Russians; and to join a reinforcement which 
was arrived in the neighbourhoood of Sloutzk. By 
accomplishing these designs, he hoped to strengthen 
himself, and to cut off the communication of the divi- 
sion at Mazir with the other Russian corps. 

Hertel was not backward in guessing at what the 
change in his adversary's position pointed; and form- 
ing an immediate plan to circumvent him, he dispatch- 
ed reconnoitring parties towards Voultsha and Gar- 
batchvichi, at which places the enemy had formed 
considerable magazines, and these magazines the 
brave Russians were determined to destroy. Mean- 
while the General himself marshed to Bobruisk, and 
by his appearance, and the station of his troops, not 
only defeated the hopes of Dombrofsky in that quar 



257 

ter, but completely separated him from the approach 
of his expected reinforcement. 

This being effected, Hertel led on a strong body of 
his forces to move towards Gloutzk. On their march 
they hourly fell in with foraging parties of the enemy^ 
who were convoying droves of cattle, and carts full 
of provisions for man and beast. These the victors 
seized, and, taking the escort prisoners, sent the plun- 
der back to the villages whence it had been ravaged. 

On the 14th of September, Hertel reached the 
neighbourhood of Gloutzk, and having a thick wood 
to pass through, in which lay the roads leading to the 
town, he divided his little army into two columns, 
composing their advanced guards of Cossacs, hussars, 
some light infantry, and a few pieces of flying artil- 
lery. 

As he proceeded to the openings of the wood 
through which his columns were to make their way. 
he discovered the enemy posted in front of the su- 
burbs of the city. His force appeared to be chiefly 
cavalry, with about one thousand infantry, and a few 
guns: the rest of his troops were in the town. 

No sooner were the Russian columns descried ap- 
proaching from the wood, than the whole of the 
French cavalry, to the number of six hundred, rush- 
ed forward to the attack. The Cossacs and hussars, 
supported by their artillery, gave them a firm recep- 
tion. Under cover of this war of sabres and of guns^ 
the Russian infantry rapidly formed, and charging in 
their turn, soon drove the enemy back to the suburbs 

2K 



258 

and thence into the town. Here a short resistance was 
made, but the overwhelming valour of the Russians 
overturned every obstacle, and cutting down the ene- 
my wherever they presented themselves, every street 
was a theatre of triumph, and with shouts of acclama-- 
tion they saw the last ranks of the French precipi- 
tately retreat, and abandon the city. 

The discomfited General hastily crossed the river 
Ptitchy with his shattered army, and with as much 
expedition destroyed the bridge by which his escape 
was effected. 

But these mea^res were but a short security. Her- 
tel soon restored the ruined arches, and, with his 
brave elev-es passed over to complete the defeat of the 
invaders of their country. 

The enemy having consolidated his force, made a 
show of resistance, but the Cossacs and hussars 
charging his ranks with their usual determinaticTn, 
compelled them to give ground. Still however they 
maintained the conflict, receding and fighting, till the 
Russians, inflamed with impatience, assaulted them 
with such increased fury that they could no longer 
stand; and turning round, they fairly took to their 
heels. I know no other term that could so truly ex- 
press the haste and manner of their flight. 

General Hertel being thus left in quiet possession 
of the city and its environs, took two hundred and 
fifty prisoners, and a large magazine of corn. But de- 
termined to sufier no delay in the prosecution of his 
plans, which comprised the seizure or destruction of 



259 

the enemy's depots in Voultsha and Garbatchvichiy 
and the prevention of the French flying- squadrons 
joining the detachment from Dombrofsky, then on its 
march towards Bobruish, the persevering Hertel again 
put his eager troops in motion. 

At the distance of ten wersts from Gloutzk his ad- 
vanced parties came up with a numerous body of 
infantry, who were fugitives from his late victorious 
field. Seeing themselves so closely pursued, they has- 
tily formed, covering their flanks with two pieces of 
cannon and some light troops; but the completion of 
their line was not allowed to be made, for their old 
enemies the Cossacs and hussars, followed by a regi- 
ment of infantry, precipitated themselves upon their 
ranks, and mowed them down in the midst of the 
disorder they occasioned without the pause of a mi- 
nute. While this deathful work was going forward in 
the van, the Russian General ordered the wood in 
their flank to be penetrated, that he might gain their 
rear. This was done: and the enemy, finding himself 
nearly surrounded, rose with the occasion, and fought 
with a desperation that almost made his opponents 
stagger. After five hours hard fighting, in which 
every man in the opposing legions must have found 
himself a hero, the French, wounded and faint, yield- 
ed the contest by rushing into the woods; there seek- 
ing a miserable shelter, while their more fortunate 
comrades lay dead or dying upon the disputed field. 

The enemy lost upwards of one thousand men in 
killed and wounded, in this action, and one hundred 



260 

and fifty as prisoners to the Russians, who took theiti 
with their two pieces of cannon. 

On the side of General Hertel, the loss was compa- 
ratively small, amounting to no more than two hun- 
dred killed and wounded; but even these were great 
to him who lamented in each individual the early fall 
of one formed to reflect increasing honour on the sol- 
dier's name. 

After compelling his indefatigable troops to take a 
few hours' repose, they impatiently listened for his 
command to pursue their career. That given, they 
were again in array, and on the road to Voultsha and 
Garbatchvichi. They needed only to appear before 
those places to receive the reward of their toil in the 
crowning of their enterprise. Both magazines fell into 
their hands; and Dombrofsky, hearing that the Rus- 
sian force was coming upon him, broke up his lines 
before the fortress of Bobruisk, and fell rapidly back 
upon Mohiloif. 

Whilst this success attended the troops under Ge- 
neral Hertel's personal command, a detachment from 
his army under General Zapolsky, had defeated a 
party of Austrians close to the town of Pinsk. The 
result was, the abandonment of that place by the ene- 
my, who retired upon Lubaschevo. A very large 
magazine filled with all kinds of stores was found by 
the victors in Pinsk. 

When General Renier and Prince Swartzenburg 
were apprised of the union of the army of the Danube 
iwith that of Tormozoff\ they made preparations for 



261 

an immediate retreat towards Brest- Litofsky. The 
Russians were as prompt in pursuit, and the roads 
over which they passed presented a thousand traces 
of the haste with which the discomfited invaders re= 
trod their steps. Dead horses, broken tumbrils, carts, 
and destroyed stores, were every where strewed along 
the path. The advanced parties of the retreating and 
pursuing armies were at hourly rencontre, killing 
numbers and making many prisoners. At last the 
Russian force pressed so close upon Swartzenburg, 
that he was obliged to hasten his march, and entirely 
evacuate the country before the troops so recently 
driven from Pinsk could make their way to his stan- 
dard. Thus was Volhynia disencumbered of the load 
which had so long burthened her fields and her cities; 
but ere the enemy had reached the vicinity of Vlodava 
and of Brest, he left upon the ground he had so op- 
pressed, upwards of two thousand killed, and five 
hundred prisoners in the hands of his pursuers. 

When the Austrian Prince and his soldiers, with 
Renier and his followers, halted at Vlodava and Brest, 
they did not rest there, but pushed across the river 
Boug towards Brest-Litofsky. They were about forty 
thousand men strong, and here took up a position; 
but finding it expedient to dispatch the greater part 
of their force again to the opposite bank, they re- 
crossed the river near that town, and entrenched ihem- 
selves between Mouchovitza and the Lessna. The 
former is a little stream that flows into the Boug, and 



262 

the latter pays its tribute to the same great river seve- 
ral wersts distant, near Bratouyanib. 

Tchitchagoff's columns having kept on the right 
bank of the Boug, followed the enemy's motions in a 
parallel direction; and, after crossing the Moucho- 
vitza at three places, arrived on the 11th of October 
opposite to their front. His reconnoitring parties 
brought him information that decided him on making 
an attack early next morning. But long after dawn 
it continued so extremely dark that the nearest object 
could hardly be discerned. On the clouds clearing 
away he bore down upon the French position, when, 
to his infinite disappointment, he foimd that the 
enemy had abandoned his lines and disappeared. In 
fact, Swartzenburg and Renier had taken advantage 
of the night and the obscurity of the morning to move 
off unperceived, and to retreat across the Lessna, in 
the direction of Vissoko-Litofsk. 

The Russians lost no time in commencing the 
chace, and their advance-guards soon came up with 
the rear of the fugitives, even in the moment of their 
passing the river. A hot contest ensued, and many 
fell on both sides; the Russians fought at disadvan- 
tage, and the enemy crossed. Renier and his coadju- 
tor had foreseen the pursuit, and prepared for it by 
placing pieces of artillery on the opposite bank, and 
lining the wood that overshadowed it with chasseurs. 
These kept up a heavy fire on their pursuers, and 
prevented them from immediately following the French 
rear across the stream. Indeed it was not until the 



263 

next morning that the Russian commander found he 
could proceed with advantage; and then the pursuit 
was prosecuted with such speed and effect, that the 
enemy were driven far beyond Vissoko, and induced 
to make a rapid march towards Bialistock. 

During this whole affair^ from the first to the last 
of the pursuit, the Russians had about two hundred 
and sixty men killed and wounded, besides six of- 
ficers. The enemy's loss was considerable. Four 
hundred were left on the road dead or dying; and 
seven hundred men, including twenty officers, were 
taken prisoners. 

Meanwhile Major-General Dochtoroff and Colonel 
TschernichefF, with some regiments of light cavalry, 
had been detached to the opposite shore of the Boug, 
at Brest-Litofsky, with orders to march upon Bialo- 
Lublin, and to dispatch their troops to the right and 
left, to destroy all the magazines they could find, and 
to make observations for future movements, in the 
event of a complete evacuation of the country by the 
French. 

The object of this pursuit in so many points, was 
not merely to harass the enemy, but to drive him 
entirely out of that part of the country which bor- 
dered upon the lands whence the Russian armies in 
this quarter must draw their subsistence. 

Admiral Tchitchagolf, being informed that the re- 
treating forces had passed the Nareva, dispatched a 
corps which moved swiftly after them. It was meant 
rather to observe than to attack, and by hovering 



264 

over the movements of the enemy in the direction of 
Bialistockj it would greatly facilitate the design of 
the Admiral to open a correspondence with the army 
of the Dwina, and to cut off this division of the grand 
army from any communication with Buonaparte. 

One spirit of flight seemed now to pervade the 
French forces throughout the whole empire. In this 
quarter they retreated with a haste that did not per- 
mit them to make any observations of what was 
passing in their rear; and therefore the brave Tchit- 
chagoff felt no uneasy anticipation of their attempting 
to return, when his recall to the interior should lessen 
the numbers of their pursuers. In vain would the di- 
visions under the immediate command of Napoleon 
have wished to partake the escape of those under 
Renier and Prince Swartzenburg: Koutousoff had 
got them strongly hemmed in, and to complete the 
circle he was drawing around them and their dictator^ 
he dispatched orders to Admiral Tchitchagoff to 
hasten his movements towards Minsk, as his troops 
were required in that quarter to intercept the Grand 
Army, which was then in full flight from Moscow. 

This intelligence no sooner reached the Command- 
er of the army of the Danube, than he set forward. 
He had already cleared Volhynia, and great part of 
the government of Grodno of their invaders. The de- 
tachments which he sent into the government of 
Warsaw, had carried terror to the gates of its capital; 
and returned to him, after having destroyed numerous 
valuable magazines in their path. 



265 

When the Admiral directed his march towards 
Minsk, (which he did on the 1st of November), 
Lieutenant- GendVal Sakin was left, at the head of a 
body of troops, at Brest-Litofsky. with orders to re- 
main in observation on the Duchy of Warsaw. Gene= 
ral Liders was then at Voline, and with General 
Hertel, had received commands to move with all ex- 
pedition upon Minsk. Liders was to proceed by the 
way of Pinsk, and Hertel through Gloutzk, whilst 
the army of the Danube directed its course towards 
Proujany. From that place it would continue its route 
through Slonim, Nes wick-mire, and so onwards to 
Minsk, at which point the Admiral hoped to arrive 
©n the 19th of November, 



Field-Marshal Koutousoff having had accurate ia= 
formation of the growing miseries of the French dur=. 
ing their occupation of Moscow, and of the extremi- 
ties to which their leader was reduced, foresaw the 
speedy evacuation of that city, and the consequent 
state of the enemy. He therefore lost no time in mak- 
ing such preparations for the event as would render 
it decisive of the fate of Napoleon and his army. 

The head-quarters of the Russian main army had 
been removed from Krasnoy-Pocra to the village of 
Touratino, where it was entrenched on the 2d of Oc- 

2L 



266 

tober; but on the 4th it changed its position to the 
village of Letachevka, further on the Kalouga road. 
From these points the Commander-ifi-chief dispatched 
his orders, and dispersed his divisions into every 
avenue into which it vras possible the enemy in his 
flight might attempt to penetrate. Myriads of armed 
men covered the country from the vicinity of Bro- 
nitza to the grand road of Mojaisk, and thence through 
Klim on the opposite side to DimitrofF and Vladimer. 
The peasantry beheld the hour of retribution at hand, 
and they presented themselves every where in multi- 
tudes, some on foot and others on horseback, to assist 
the soldiery in the destruction of their enemies. 

At this juncture of affairs, the Field-Marshal's own 
words will give the most satisfactory account of the 
relative state of the hostile armies. He thus writes: 

"During the last eight days the Russian army ha§ 
occupied the right bank of the Nara, near the village 
of Jarontino, where it now remains in a state of tran- 
quillity, while it augments its strength; every regi- 
ment is kept up in its original numerical force, by 
troops continually arriving from the different govern- 
ments. Prince Lobanoff" Shostousky, general of in- 
fantry, superintends the formation and discipline of 
these recruits; who, daily exercised in the camp, ra- 
pidly acquire military knowledge, and become impa- 
tient for its display in active service. Excellent water, 
and abundant forage, give every advantage to our 
present situation: the regulations for the distribution 



267 

of provisions are so admirably adapted to their object, 
that a want of any kind is unknown amongst our 
troops. The roads are covered with numerous wag^ 
gons laden with the superfluity of adjacent govern- 
ments. Convalescent officers and soldiers daily rejoin 
their regiments, while the sick and wounded, still in 
the bosom of their country, enjoy the inestimable pri- 
vilege of being surrounded by the tender cares of 
their own families. 

" Meanwhile, that confusion which prevails in the 
enemy's army, prevents him from attempting to 
disturb our repose: his remoteness from his own 
dominions deprives him of supplies; his subsistence, 
therefore, becomes hourly more precarious; and the 
prisoners unanimously confess that their army have 
long had no other meat than horse-flesh, and that 
bread was even scarcer than meat. The total want of 
forage reduces their cavalry and horse-artillery to the 
utmost wretchedness; the greatest part of this cavalry 
has been already destroyed in the preceding combats, 
and particularly in the memorable day of the 26th of 
August (7th Sept. N. S.), a day so glorious to the 
Russian name! The miserable remnant that is left,, 
surrounded on all sides by our detachments that cut 
off every supply, suffer from the severest scarcity. 
Pressed by want, and straitened in means, the enemy 
can no longer attempt any thing beyond some feeble 
efforts to secure those escorts of provisions, which 
are uniformly beaten by our foraging parties. Our 
principal detachments upon the roads cf Mojaisk, of 



268 

St. Petersburgh, of Kolomna, and of SespouchofF, 
rarely suffer a day to pass without bringing in up- 
wards of three hundred prisoners; even the peasants, 
belonging to the villages bordering on the seat of 
war, cause infinite vexation and loss to our invaders. 

" Russia, which in every age has distinguished 
herself amongst the nations of the earth, by love for 
her sovereigns, burns to-day with more than her an- 
cient zeal to defend the throne of her Emperor, and 
to avenge her own wrongs; filled with patriotic ar- 
dour, the peasants arrange themselves into armies; 
they post sentinels upon the tops of the hills, and of 
the churches, to watch the approach of the enemy, 
and when he is descried the tocsin is sounded, the 
patriot warriors rush into their self-formed ranks, 
pour with the force of mingled torrents upon these 
brigands, and stay their overwhelmed tide only by the 
total destruction of their opposers. 

" Every day they are seen crowding to the camp 
bringing prisoners to head-quarters, and demanding 
arms and ammunition; the demand of these true sons 
of their country is never denied, while there remains 
the means of gratifying it. In many places these brave 
peasants have collectively taken a solemn oath to con- 
tinue embodied for the common defence, and have at 
the same time enacted laws, by which the severest 
punishments are decreed for such as should basely 
desert their voluntary pledge. 

" That awful arm, which sustains the just and 
strikes the unjust, is now manifestly stretched forth 



269 

in wrath over the head of our enemies! — IntelligenGe 
has just arrived, that after completely routing the 
French, the Spaniards and the English have retaken 
Madrid; thus our invaders are discomfited every 
where; and while they are falling by thousands at one 
extremity of Europe, at the other their graves are 
digging in the soil of that empire which they vainly 
menaced with annihilation!" 

The task of reconnoitring the great high road 
leading to Wiazma and Gchatz, was entrusted to the 
active zeal of Major-General Dorochoff. Besides this 
duty, he was ordered to attack the city of Vereya, 
which the enemy had garrisoned, to take it by assault, 
and to destroy the fortifications which they had re- 
cently constructed. This accomplished, the left of the 
imperial ^rmy would be freed from an impediment 
ki its movements, and the whole country would be 
clear to the Gchatz road. 

On the 2d of October General DorochoiF joined 
his advanced corps under Colonel Prince Vadbalsky 
and Colonel DavidofF, and pushed on to the country 
between Semlevo and Wiazma, where he surprised 
the enemy; and between the 2d and the 13th of Oc- 
tober took upwards of a hundred carriages of various 
descriptions laden with plunder and provisions, wrest- 
ed from the peasantry, and nearly a hundred and fifty 
head of cattle. During the rencontres with convoys, 
foragers, and marauders, which put him in possession 
of this spoil, he killed and took of the enemy more 



270 

than two thousand men, with a great number of offi- 
cers, and six pieces of cannon. 

Vereya had been strengthened by the French, and 
was considered by them as a valuable depot for their 
arms, plunder, and -provisions. Napoleon had placed 
there a garrison of one thousand five hundred men, 
composed of French and Westphalians; and when the 
Russians under Dorochoff approached to attack it, 
the town showed signs on every side of a determined 
resistance. However, the spirit that moved to the as- 
sault was as resolute as that which opposed it. Al- 
though the Russian general found the ascent to the 
fortifications extremely steep, and that they were ren- 
dered more secure by firm rows of palisadoes, he gave 
orders to carry the whole by storm. The deed follow- 
ed the command; and the columns which led the at- 
tack were conducted by four intrepid citizens of 
Vereya. The native inhabitants of the town watched 
with anxiety the salvation their brethren had promised 
to bring them from Koutousoff's camp, and hailed 
with bounding hearts the approach of the Russian 
legions. They descried the standards of Dorochoff; 
and in the rear of his line a body of peasantry, with 
their hatchets and pick-axes, led on by a venerable 
priest to destroy the works and palisadoes. 

At five o'clock in the morning of the 10th the 
whole of the advanced party had passed the first line 
of defence; this achieved, they rushed into the ditch, 
and in less than half an hour the Russian bayonets had 
made their way into the heart of the town. The priest 



271 

and his warlike band soon levelled the parapets and 
bastions in all quarters, and aided their brethren in 
arms to sweep the city of its insolent intruders. 

About five hundred of the enemy were slain, four 
hundred made prisoners, and the standard of West- 
phalia taken, with five hundred muskets, which were 
distributed amongst the peasantry. Some corn, flour, 
and biscuits were found, which were given to the 
troops and people. 

The loss on the part of the Russians did not ex- 
ceed forty men in killed and wounded. The brave 
citizens who led the columns were amongst the first 
to mount the ramparts, and one of them was wounded. 
The disaster was happily not mortal; and in recom- 
pence for the dangerous duty, he and his three brave 
colleagues each received the military medal of the 
order of St. George. 

On finding the Russian light troops in the neigh- 
bourhood of Mojaisk, the enemy conceived apprehen- 
sions for the safety of Vereya, and dispatched to its 
garrison a reinforcement of three battalions of infantry 
and four squadrons of cavalry. They were seen from 
the town, about eleven o'clock, at a few wersts dis- 
tance. Before they could perceive that all was over 
with their comrades in that garrison, a reserve of 
troops (stationed by the Russian General without the 
walls) instantly advanced and fell upon them. Their 
resistance was short, but while it lasted so sanguinary 
that they seemed to stand in blood. At length finding 
perseverance \yould be unavailing, they gave up the 



272 ■ 

contest and fled. The dead they left on the field was 
terrifically increased by the swords of the Cossacs 
and other cavalry, which cut down hundreds as they 
pursued them to the covering lines of Mojaisk. 

From the movements of the several French divi- 
sions towards every point connected with any avenue 
that led to the Dneiper, it was easy to understand the 
object to which their leader now bent his steps. His 
purpose was to retrace his march, to escape the ven- 
geance of an incensed country, and to find himself 
once more in safety on the frontiers of his subject 
nations. 

From the instant he found all hopes vain of bring- 
ing the empire of Russia to the necessity of soliciting 
a disgraceful peace, he decided upon retiring to that 
part of Poland where his magazines had been pre- 
pared, for a very different consummation of his cam- 
paign than the present retrograde motion. 

Could he accomplish this retreat, which he flattered 
himself might be done with a comparatively trifling 
loss, he would remain at the vast entrance of the Rus- 
sian empire, until the return of spring should re- open 
to him her gates. During the interval his harassed 
troops would be recovered from their fatigues; he 
would draw new levies and contributions from France 
and the continental states; and, again crossing the 
frontiers with his host, he would fall with intermina- 
ble fury upon the Russian empire, and compel it to 
acknowledge " a just sense of its duty as an European 



273 

It is evident that the Russian people and the Ruler 
of the French, see the " duty" of Russia " as an Eu- 
ropean state," in two opposite points of view. Wiiich 
is the right one, any honest mind can affirm. 

Being reduced to the necessity of putting his hard 
alternative into practice, Buonaparte saw with in= 
creased vexation the adjacent country so filled with 
his adversaries, that he must take extraordinary pre= 
cautions to escape their vigilance. He thought it well 
to divide his army from its spoil; judging by his own 
soldiers, he seems to have planned a bait for the Rus- 
sian troops in one path, which, when they were de= 
vouring, would have purchased for himself and foL 
lowers a safe retreat beyond their lines. To this endj 
he sent forward on the great road to Sniolenzk, seve= 
ral hundreds of carts, carriages, and waggons, filled 
with ammunition and plunder, sick and wounded sol- 
diers, and a scanty store of provisions and forage. 

While these proceeded on their perilous journeyj 
he designed to set forward himself, with the grand 
army, in a parallel direction, taking his course by the 
way of Maloyarraslavitz Medyn, and crossing the go- 
vernments of Smolenzk and MohilofF, he hoped to 
reach Minsk in safety. In that city he had provided 
magazines of all kinds, and in its neighbourhood he 
expected to meet the reinforcement of Marshal Vic» 
tor, joined by the remains of St. Cyr's division, 

Buonaparte encouraged his army with the assurance 
that if they gained Minsk, the country diverging from 
it, and all along- their future march, was so prolific, 

S»M 



274 

that while they remained on it they would scarcely 
again feel any privations from the war. Famished, and 
worn with the calamities they had suffered and inflict- 
ed, they were eager to press towards so desirable a goal; 
and to ensure a favourable issue to these hopes, their 
leader made his first movement in an attempt to de- 
ceive Prince Koutousoff. He wished to give him an idea 
that the object of the French troops was to pierce the 
main Russian army, to possess themselves of Kalouga, 
and to winter in the rich provinces around it. To make 
this impression, which was to be the operating seal of 
his great plan, he directed Murat to march forward 
upon the Kalouga road, with a formidable division of 
of the army, to attack the Russians, and by prolong- 
ing the contest, afford time for the rest of the troops 
and their sovereign to gain an unmolested retreat. 

Prince Koutousoff was too good a master of the 
science of information to be ignorant of this scheme 
of his adversary. He made instant dispositions to ren- 
der it abortive, and accordingly ordered a great part 
of his army to break up their position at l^ouratino^ 
on the 17th of October, and march out under the 
command of General Baron Benningson. Their ad- 
vance was to be as sudden as unexpected by the 
enemy, and they were to fall upon him a Vimproviste 
near Maloyarraslavitz. The Baron and his brave troops 
hastened to the enterprise with an ardour answerable 
to its importance, for they could not but see that in 
proportion to the expectations of advantage which 
Napoleon had founded on the success of his plan, 
Would be his despair on its failure. In such a dilem- 



275 

ma they perceived no option for His followers but a 
miserable flight through the desolated ways of Wi- 
azma. 

Wiazma, which the Russians looked to as the pro- 
bable temporary asylum of their defeated enemy, was 
fated to be the field of his severest contest. It is situ= 
ated on the right bank of the river Louja, and stands 
upon high commanding grounds, at the foot of which 
are extensive woods that stretch to a vast plain, be= 
yond which the country becomes, to a considerable 
extent, uneven and intersected with ravines and small 
rivers. 

Be^nningson having drawn the battalions selected 
for this duty from the chief part of the right wing of 
the main army, thej'- left their lines at seven o'clock in 
the evening of the 17th. His gallant corps was com- 
posed of the second, third, and fourth battalions of 
infantry, ten regiments of Cossacs under Count Or- 
lofF-DenisofF, the twentieth regiment of chasseurs, and 
four other regiments from the first division of cavalry 
under the orders of Major-General Baron Miller-Za" 
komelsky. 

The whole body moved on in three columns. The 
first, composed of Cossacs under Count Orloff-Deni- 
soff, and seconded by the force under General Miller- 
Zakomelsky, was to form Benningson's right, and 
endeavour to turn the left flank of the enemy. The 
second column consisted of a body of infantry pre- 
ceded by a brigade of chasseurs, and four pieces of 
light artillery; the rear of this column was formed of 



276 

the divisions of Lieutenant- General Baggavout and 
Major-General Count StrogonofF, and supported by a 
formidable train of artillery. The third column was 
commanded by Count Ostern\an-Tolstoy, and con- 
sisted of the fourth corps of infantry, with a battery of 
heavy guns. 

These divisions, headed by their Commander, soon 
crossed the Nara, while the rest of the army followed 
their movements, and advanced along the great road. 
The day had not dawned before the leading corps had 
gained the various points whence they were to com- 
mence their operations. 

When information was brought to Murat of the un- 
expected approach of the Russians, he hastily formed 
in order of battle, and, taking advantage of some rising 
grounds in the rear of a village close to his line, h^ 
planted it with a heavy battery of guns. The body of 
his army presented a vast front, extending its flanks 
to the extremities of the neighbouring woods. It con- 
sisted of fifty thousand men, and was commanded by 
himself and Beauharnois. 

Previous to the Russian columns presenting them- 
selves to the enemy, the brigade of chasseurs had 
spread themselves upon the plain; giving time, by 
this manoeuvre, for the light artillery to come up and 
form at some distance from the head of its respective 
advancing corps. 

I'he guns of the centre column were the first to 
open their fire. This was the signal for Count Orloflf- 
DenisoiF to lead near the edge of the wood, towards 



211 

the enemy^s left. Count Osterman- Tolstoy at the same 
moment moved to his left, to join the corps of Gene= 
ral DochtorofF, which had been previously employed 
in observation in the vicinity of Maloyarraslavitz. The 
centre was led on by the gallant Lieutenant- General 
Baggavout, who formed on the heights near the town, 
and covered them with cannon. 

The action commenced with a tremendous fire; for 
some time both sides sustained the shock with admi- 
rable firmness, but the steady discharge of the Rus- 
sian infantry began to shake the enemy's line, and 
what completed its disorder from his centre to his 
left, was the sudden opening of a battery hastily 
thrown up by the Russians on their left, and which 
added a heavy cross fire to that already poured upon 
the falling enemy. Nearly at this juncture Count Or- 
loff"-DenisofF turned the left flank of the French and 
fell upon their rear with great havoc. The confusion 
in this point was very great, and to render it decisive 
he seconded the unremitting fire of his musketry, with 
repeated discharges from the whole of his light artiK 
lery. While the dismayed multitude before him were 
deserting their ground in crowds. General Baron Mil- 
ler-Zakomelsky came up with his cavalry and Cossacs 
and completed the destruction. 

The success of the right column of the Russians 
was immediately observed by Benningson, and to re- 
double the advantage, he ordered his infantry and 
cavalry to press forward. The dragoons charged with 
vehem-ence. and the resolute infantry bore down with 



278 

a weight that overthrew all opposition. The enemy 
rallied, and made a show of resistance, but the attempt 
was as short as vain, and they were driven at the point 
of the bayonet with dreadful slaughter from the field. 

Owing to an unforeseen circumstance Count Oster- 
man-Tolstoy had not been able to form a junction with 
DochtorofF, but the rest of the Russian army appear- 
ing in sight, the right of the enemy followed the ex- 
ample of his centre and left, and precipitately fled 
before the victors towards Medyn. 

The loss of the French in this day's battle amount- 
ed to two thousand five hundred killed, and one thou- 
sand taken prisoners. They also lost the great standard 
of honour belonging to the Napoleon regiment of cui- 
rasseurs, thirty-eight pieces of cannon, forty ammuni- 
tion waggons, all the baggage belonging to the divi- 
sion, an immensity of plunder amassed at different 
times by individuals of the army, the carriages of Mu- 
rat, and other spoil of various descriptions. Amongst 
the slain on the enemy's side were many officers of 
rank; one general named Derie, was piked by a Cos- 
sac, and the bodies of twelve field officers were found 
on the field. 

The loss on the part of the Russians was trifling in 
number, not amounting to more than three hundred 
killed; but in that small list they had to lament the 
brave General Baggavout, who was struck by. a can- 
non-shot at the commencement of the action, and 
instantly expired. The veteran commander in this 
most glorious day, the intrepid Benningson, was also 



279 

wounded by receiving a severe contusion in his leg; 
but he would not leave the field till he beheld the 
dauntless perseverance of his heroes crowned with 
victory. 

The force by which it had been achieved was in- 
ferior in numbers to that of the enemy, but the spirit 
by which they were animated gave a more than mor- 
tal determination to their courage, and the effect was 
answerable to the inspiration. 

The praise given to the troops for their conduct on 
this day, both by Benningson and Koutousoff, does 
not pay a more deserved tribute to the men than to 
the officers, whose discipline and example trained 
them to this glorious proof of the soldier. The vene- 
rable Field- Marshal thus expresses himself:— 

" The circumstance in this victory that I dwell on 
with the greatest satisfaction is, that all the columns 
performed their movements with an order and tran- 
quillity, more resembling the calm evolutions of a 
field-day than the tumultuous hour of battle." 

General Benningson speaks the same language. 

" I cannot sufficiently express my approbation of 
the good order and courage with which the troops 
executed their different movements, and made their 
attacks. Their coolness and intrepidity, as well as 
discipline, cannot be excelled. They have covered 
themselves with glory. In justice to the other part of 



280 

the army, which circumstances did not permit to join 
in the action, I must add what is due to them, that 
the commanding disposition which they took on the 
farther extended heights to the left, materially facili- 
tated the brilliant issue of this memorable day." 

This defeat of Murat, so unlooked-for by his mas- 
ter, was a dreadful omen of the fate that awaited his 
devoted army. When the news reached Napoleon, 
he then felt the pangs of desperation in their full 
force. He found it impossible to deceive himself 
any longer, and he saw how improbable it would be 
much longer to deceive his wretched followers. The 
moment was come when the bonds by which he had 
linked so many varying interests into his were to 
burst asunder; when, perhaps, the thousands he had 
beguiled into this measureless distance from their 
homes, would turn upon their deluder, and wreak 
their vengeance in his blood. These natural sugges- 
tions rung a dreadful denunciation in his ears; not ten. 
thousand spectres from their bloody graves could 
have been more terrible to his soul, than the voice 
that then spoke within him. Not a moment was to be 
lost. The great object he had in view, to open a path 
to his army by misleading Koutousoff, had been frus- 
trated. Instead of his generals falling unexpectedly 
on the Russian army, Koutousoff's generals had fallen 
unexpectedly upon his. 

The movement upon Yarralavitz had drawn upon 
him the whole force of the country j, and at a moment 



281 

ivhen he ought to have endeavoured, by every strata= 
gem he could devise, to have kept the Russians in 
their entrenchments at Touratino, while his famished 
legions were drawing off by degrees, and at least get= 
ting the start of their enemy. It is true, that in such a 
retreat they would have had many thousand squadrons 
of Cossacs and light troops to encounter and to pass; 
but still, had he directed Murat's force to have moved 
in a parallel direction nearer to the Mojaisk road, the 
Russian main army would not have been so soon 
aroused, and with it the whole Russian people en 
masse. The division was now discomfited with dis- 
grace, which he had hoped would have covered his 
movements towards a place of restoration and rest for 
his troops; and the direful effect of the disaster was 
not merely tarnishing his glory, but compelling him 
to take a route that was pregnant with calamity to his 
soldiers and mortification to himself. The legions of 
Russia pressed around him, and he was forced to 
seek a way to the promised winter quarters over the 
desolated waste which his people, high in pride and 
anticipated conquest, had trod under foot in their pro= 
gress to the ancient capital of the empire. 

On the 19th of the month, two days after the defeat 
of Yarralavitz, Napoleon quitted Moscow. His troops 
were more eager to obey than he to give the wordj 
that rid the groaning city of its ruthless invaders. 
This once splendid and jocund army were now naked 
and dispirited, with scarcely a day's biscuit for each 
man, or a mouthful of forage for the numerous horses, 

2N 



282 

With despair in their looks they heard the commands 
of their generals to move upon Mojaisk, by the ways 
of Borosk and Veraya. Murat and Beauharnois were 
to attempt gaining the same point by Medyn. 

Buonaparte and his share of the troops proceeded 
to the proposed rendezvous by the old Kalouga road? 
and halting at Disna, his twenty-sixth bulletin re- 
ports him to have arrived on the twenty-third of the 
month at Borosk. It is thus expressed: — 

" The head-quarters were at the castle of Troitz- 
koy (near Disna) on the nineteenth, and there re- 
mained all the twentieth. On the twenty-first they 
were at Ignatieff; the twenty-second at Fominskoy? 
and the army having made two fiank movements, it 
arrived on the twenty-third at Borosk." 

After the victory of the 18th, Field-Marshal Kou- 
tousofF resumed his position at Touritino, and strength- 
ened his advanced- guard under Miloradovitch, which 
was stationed at Tchernichnaya, and spread its par- 
ties beyond Voronova. He also dispatched a rein- 
forcement of twenty -five new regiments of Cossacs, 
to disperse themselves, under the direction of the 
intrepid Piatoff,^ throughout every part of the country 
between the late scene of action and Mojaisk. 

The enemy felt the full effects of these hostile pre- 
parations. In his march towards Maloyarraslavitz. 
every step he took was marked by the perishing bo- 
dies of his folio vvers, fallen by the grasp of famine, or 



283 

the swords of the flying parties of Russian cavalry 
which infested every village and every wood in their 
path. KoutousoflP had no longer to stand on the de- 
fensive; his whole array was at his disposal to follow 
in any direction the breathless retreat of the enemy, 
and he did not fail to make active use of that part of 
his force which was calculated to bring back the best 
account of the fugitives. He possessed a body of 
horse that amounted to more than forty-five regi- 
ments, and great part of these he dispatched, with 
hordes of Bashkirs, Tartars, and other irregular troops, 
to traverse and destroy the French troops in every 
direction. 

Amongst the numerous sanguinary rencontres which 
took place between these warriors of the desert and 
the soldiers of Napoleon, a more than ordinary bril- 
liant aflfair took place under the brave leading of Co- 
lonel Prince Koudascheff. He perceived a strong body 
of the French approaching, and putting himself at 
the head of about six hundred Cossacs, he rushed 
suddenly from a thick wood upon the enemy, and 
charged them with a fury that levelled the first ranks 
with the earth on the first assault. It was the ad- 
vanced guard of Sebastiani, but was taken off its 
guard. It was, however, commanded by a brave 
officer, and made several bold essays to recover the 
distinction of its name; but the overwhelming power 
of the Cossac arm was not to be resisted, and nearly 
the whole of the party were put to death. 

This success was followed up by the victors with 



284 

an increased ardour for new exploits. They set for* 
Ward, and proceeding some little distance on the same 
road, came in upon a ravine, where they surprised 
another detachment from the grand army, which ap- 
peared as negligent of preparing against an attack as 
its predecessor. The gallant Koudascheff bore down 
upon it immediately, and though its numerical force 
more than doubled his, the enemy fell before him as 
before a mighty wind; and mounting their dead bo- 
dies to seize the trophies of his victory, he took from 
the field a park of twelve cannon, thirty baggage and 
ammunition waggons, and above one hundred and 
twenty carriages of all descriptions, in some of which 
were the spoils which had been gathered by Sebas- 
tiani and the officers of his division. 

Even the French allow the defeat they suffered in 
this rencontre; and in two of their bulletins wherein 
they mention it, acknowledge that eight hundred men 
were killed; but, as if there were a principle within 
in them never to speak truth without breathing along 
>vith it a neuteralizing quantity of falsehood, they add, 
(as an excuse for the unmilitary conduct of their line 
in permitting a double surprise), that the Russians^ 
when they made this attack^ broke an armistice. 

The most awful scene of misery and of blood that 
ever was registered in the annals of the world, was 
now about to open its horrors. Napoleon moved for- 
ward like the demon on the pale horse, with hunger 
and pestilence and death in his train; and the myriads 
of famished human beings who followed in the dread- 



285 

ful march, saw before them a vast barren track of 
nearly four hundred wersts, before they could hope 
to reach any sustenance for expiring nature, any shel- 
ter from the vengeful swords of their incensed foe. 

Smolenzk was the nearest spot where magazines 
had been prepared. Thither was this devoted mass 
of suffering creatures doomed to drag on their ex- 
hausted and emaciated frames. The famished horses 
dropped dead beneath the powerless limbs of their 
riders, and the fainting riders threw themselves upon 
the stiffened bodies of their horses, for rest and for 
death. The wretched survivors, embracing hope in 
the very bosom of despair, listened eagerly to the 
promises of Smolenzk from the lips of their comman- 
ders; and, without other food than the flesh which 
they tore from the wasted limbs of their dying ca- 
valry, they pressed on. The officers, whose informa- 
tion on the subject, rendered fatally prescient, saw 
with even more dismay than their men, the despera- 
tion of their circumstances. An enraged enemy ho- 
vered upon their rear and on their flanks, and the first 
harbingers of a change of season had already made 
themselves be felt: Winter, a Northern Winter, brood- 
ed with all its horrors over their heads. Neither was 
Napoleon ignorant of what was suffered, of what must 
yet be endured. British heroes regard their soldiers 
as the sinews of their strength; the French leader con- 
siders his as the machines of his ambition, and he 
treats them accordingly. He saw what was before his 
army in this his enforced retreat from Russia. He 



286 

would not see any alternative that could compromise 
his dominant pride, and, leading forward his victims 
to their horrible fate, he continued to flatter them 
with hopes, while his pitiless heart defied the wants 
of human nature, and set at nought the threatening 
severities of the season^ 

By the twentieth of October, the whole army was 
on its flight, for by no other term can the manner of 
their retreat be truly described. Even while the en- 
couraging exhortations of Napoleon, and his promises 
of honours and rewards for their persevering heroism, 
were sounding in the ears of his deluded and too faith- 
ful followers; even in that hour, when they were look- 
ing to him as to the (almost) demi-god for whom they 
had suffered all, and from whom they expected pro- 
tection to the last—he resolved to abandon them! 
Escape was now his object, and taking with him a 
chosen few, he repeated the scene of Egypt, and left 
his Generals to bring on their despairing soldiers in 
the best way they could. 



Murat, on retiring from the field of his late defeat, 
hoped that on reaching Medyn he might be able to 
penetrate a few wersts into the unexhausted country 
in its neighbourhood. But no; the indefatigable Cos- 
sacs were already there^ and the pike and the sword 



237 

shut every avenue against the attempts of his most 
resolute corps. Finding every effort vain, to gain re- 
lief in that quarter, he and Beauharnois consulted 
what was next to be done, and seeing no resource 
within their power to satisfy the wants of their troops, 
they determined sharing the fate of the other divisions 
of the army, and with this view they joined their fu- 
gitive comrades on the road to Mojaisk. 

On these circumstances being reported to the Rus- 
sian Commander-in-chief, he put his whole army in 
motion, moving its main body towards Wiazmaj 
whilst the advance under Miloradovitch should follow 
in a parallel direction between him and the Mojaisk 
road. The advance division was fully cpmpetent to 
this important service, as it had been reinforced with 
a power that rendered it the complete half of the 
army. 

While the main bodies thus moved on, every sur-^ 
rounding track, whether of wood or open ground^ 
swarmed with Cossacs and light troops to harass the 
enemy, and to destroy the bridges in his path. 

To secure the left flank of the main army from the 
chance of being annoyed by parties from Dombrof- 
sky's division at Mohilofi', Koutousoff detached Lieu- 
tenant-General ShepelefF with a strong corps com- 
posed of the Kalouga armament, and supported by 
six pieces of cannon, with a party of cavalry, besides 
three regiments of Cossacs. He soon executed his 
orders, and informed the Commander-in-chief that his 
division had taken possession of the city of Roslav. 



288 

that it covered the town of Briansk, and that it was 
moving upon Elnia. 

While General Shepeleff was thus securing the 
country in the neighbourhood of Mohiloff, the gallant 
young Count Ogerofsky was dispatched to the same 
quarter at the head of a fine body of regular light 
troops. 

PlatofF, whose indefatigable zeal and active valour 
had been conspicuous from the first of the campaign, 
pursued the same animated course in the expulsion 
of a retreating foe, as he had taken in repelling his 
advance. Having learnt that a large body of the ene- 
my, together with a considerable convoy, had passed 
on the night of the 30th through the village of Staroy 
on their way to Mojaisk towards Smolenzk, he lost 
not a moment in following their track. Near to the 
monastery of Kolotsk he overtook their rear- guard 
and luggage, which had halted close to the heights 
on which it stands. At day-break on the 31st, he or- 
dered two brigades of his Cossacs to attack the ene- 
my's left flank. As soon as they found themselves 
thus assailed, they showed every disposition rather to 
retreat than to engage, and accordingly began to move 
in a very rapid order of march. When the Hetman 
perceived their intention, he ordered another brigade 
to fall upon their right, whilst he, with a strong divi- 
sion well supported by artillery, would bear down 
upon their rear. A terrible slaughter ensued, but se- 
veral times the French General endeavoured to stop 
his troops during their flying conflict, that some steady 



289 

resistance might be offered. He attempted in vain. 
The flanks of his division were so pressed by the 
assailants, and they so heavily pushed and galled his 
rear with their pikes and cannon, that he found it im^ 
possible to hold his ground a moment. Once or twice 
he endeavoured to take advantage of the high ground 
over which he passed, but the activity of his pursuers 
neither gave him time nor opportunity, and at last he 
was compelled to give up the contest, leaving behind 
him in his flight twenty-seven pieces of ordnance and 
his colours. In this affair the French had two batta- 
lions completely destroyed, hundreds fell by the sa- 
bres of the Cossacs, and the earth was strewed with 
dying bodies, from the grape of the Russian guns. 
The full amount of the dead could not be ascertained, 
for the nature of the warfare did not allow of these 
calculations; no prisoners were taken, as it was a re- 
gular system with the Cossacs in their battles with 
the French never to burthen themselves with men as 
prisoners whom they had found exterminating ene- 
mies. 

In order to render their retreat less incumbered, 
the wretched fugitives blew up their ammunition 
carts, and set fire to every thing that could impede 
their flight. Five hundred carcases of horses (for they 
seemed more dead than alive), which had been at- 
tached to the waggons and artillery, were set loose 
and abandoned to their fate. The following day this 
discomfited division of the rear-guard fell in with its 
companion division at Gridnevo; the main body of 

20 



290 

the army having reached Ghatz at the same time* 
Sad was the junction to all parties, for it brought no- 
thing with it but a communication of miseries. In 
vain did that hope which, Phoenix-like, revives from 
death to death, in the human breast, in vain did it 
support the wretched fugitive in his flight with the 
idea that when he should come up with the main 
body some of his miseries would be relieved. He 
arrived, and they were increased by the pang of dis- 
appointment, by the horror of despair. 

Rendered desperate by famine, and the privation 
of every necessary of life, whole regiments left their 
brigades, and forming themselves into bands of rapine^ 
spread themselves every where for several wersts to 
force from the peasantry some share in their food and 
clothes. This track of country, having already felt the 
evils of war, afforded very trifling resources, but even 
these were withheld from the enemy. The vigilance 
of the Cossacs traced their marauding parties in every 
direction, and hunting them from the woods and by- 
ways, compelled them to fly before them towards the 
high road. Hundreds of starving wretches, who looked 
more like animated skeletons than men, dropped 
hourly in their path. The cries of the dying, perish- 
ing in all the agonies of want, and the imprecations 
of impotent exertion, expiring under the sword of the 
pursuer, were heard in every quarter. 

While the parties who had separated themselves 
from the main body of the enemy, thus parted from 
it never to return, the army itself did not suffer less 



291 

from the increasing calamities of its march. Its steps 
were tracked with the wreck of human mortality, and 
the starved horses that attempted to drag forward the 
numerous artillery, fell also beneath their tasks. To 
prevent the necessity of abandoning the guns, whole 
regiments of cavalry were dismounted, that their 
horses, though not in a much better condition, might 
supply the places of those which had perished. 

Early as this might be deemed since the time of 
commencing the retreat, the awful circumstances 
which accompanied every step made the events of a 
few days seem the sufferings of many weeks. Two 
hundred and fifty wersts of desolated country were 
yet between them and Smolenzk, their first depots 
and the nearest spot in which they could venture to 
rest. The divisions of Davoust, Ney, Beauharnoisj 
and Murat, crowded fast upon each other, whilst the 
unceasing attacks of their pursuers obliged them yet 
more closely to compact themselves in the narrow 
way left open for their passage. 

Platoff, while hanging over their ranks, thus de- 
scribes their situation and his own proceedings: *' The 
retreat of the French is a flight without example, aban- 
doning every thing that demands carriage, even to 
their sick and wounded. The traces of this fearful 
career are marked with every species of horror. At 
every step is seen the dying and the dead, not merely 
the fallen in battle, but the victims of famine and fa- 
tigue. In two days, even in sight of riiy division, 
their despair has blown up one hundred ammunition 



292 

waggons, while the sudden movement of my troops 
has caused them to leave untouched an almost equal 
number. We destroy these fugitives wherever we 
meet them, and when they attempt to make the least 
stand, the brave sons of the Don, assisted by their 
artillery and the chasseurs, soon relieve the empire of 
hundreds of its invaders." 

On the 2d of November the enemy appeared near 
Ghatz in some strength. He presented apparently full 
columns of infantry, and of considerable depth. He 
had also left numbers of tirailleurs in the wood that 
skirted each side of the road; and had covered his 
front with batteries. 

When Platoff perceived this array, he ordered ten 
pieces of Cossac artillery, and a body of chasseurs, 
to attack the wood on both flanks. The woods were 
quickly cleared of their tirailleurs; and the brigades of 
Cossacs, with their guns, fell vigorously on the ene- 
my's wings. After a combat of two hours he gave 
way; another charge put him to flight; and, until 
night checked their reins, the victorious Cossacs pur- 
sued. Soon as morning dawned, they recommenced 
the chase, and ceased not till the poor wreck of their 
adversary came up with a strong body commanded 
by Marshal Davoust, and which was hastening to- 
wards Wiazma. 

During this pursuit the Cossacs made a prize of 
seventy waggons, and twenty pieces of cannon, with 
several stands of colours; and the chasseurs took some 
thousand helpless and exhausted prisoners. 



293 

On the same day of the Hetman's success over this 
great division, on the 2d of November, Count Orloff- 
DenisofF fell in with a vast^ concourse of the enemy. 
It was literally a mob composed of numbers, who had 
wandered in various directions from a hundred regi- 
ments, and being hunted in all quarters by the Cos- 
sacs, were chased into the great road, where they 
found other sharers in the same circumstances of 
flight and misery. Assembling themselves in a body, 
the better to repel the attacks of the flying cavalry, 
they had proceeded only a little way when they were 
descried by the vigilant eye of Orloff'-Denisoffl With- 
out order or command they attempted to repulse his 
charge, but on the first onset they fell like unarmed 
men, so weak was their means of resistance, so feeble 
was their strength, and the earth was immediately 
scattered over with their killed and wounded. 

Upwards of one thousand prisoners quietly sub- 
mitted to the victors, and with them were taken forty 
loaded waggons, and several officers which belonged 
to the Commissariat. 

General Miloradovitch, by a movement on his 
right, came fast upon the steps of Orloff'-Denisoff' and 
Platoff; and the heads of his columns presented them- 
selves close to Wiazma on the morning of the third 
of November, Here the enemy were collected in 
great strength; and wishing to give time, if possible, 
for the part of their army in advance to proceed, they 
made a formidable show of giving battle. Marshals 
Davoust, Ney^ and Beauharnois formed at a small 



294 

distance from Wiazma. They had not chosen ground 
the best adapted to extensive military operations, nor 
had they been allowed timp even to take advantage of 
the points vi^ithin their reach to improve their position. 
Neither order nor discipline seemed to exist amongst 
the numerous ranks; all was confusion and uproarj 
and fighting with desperation alone was now their 
only hope of success. 

Miloradovitch soon made his arrangements for the 
attack, which was immediately made on the enemy's 
left flank. The Russian troops fell upon their adversa- 
ries with a fury which nothing but the cruellest inju- 
ries could have excited; they were met by a resistance 
full of valour, but it was the valour of the soldier's 
last hour, when he knows that he must fall and is re- 
solved to sell his life dearly. The contest was very 
short. A heavy and regular discharge from the Rus- 
sian cannon and musketry swept down whole lines of 
the French, and compelled the rest to give way. The 
moment was seized by their adversaries, who rushed 
on with the point of the bayonet, and drove them with 
unparalleled slaughter into the town. The Russian 
cavalry, fresh and unfatigued, charged furiously after 
the retreating columns, over heaps of dead and dying; 
while the artillery continued to pour on their devoted 
heads myriads of balls and grape, with an execution 
as horrible as it was effectual. 

Beauharnois fled with his shattered division towards 
the road leading to Douchovchina. Davoust and Ney 
took the high road to Dorogobouche; whilst thou- 



295 

sands ran, they scarcely knew whither, along both 
banks of the Dneiper. 

Twenty-eight pieces of cannon fell into the Russian 
hands in this affair. The French loss was tremendous.. 
Six thousand killed, and three thousand five hundred 
taken prisoners; amongst the latter was a general of 
artillery and his aide-de-camps, the quarter-master- 
general of Davoust*s division, and an immense num- 
ber of officers of various ranks. 

As usual, the pursuit of the enemy only finished 
with the night: and such a night! In that terrible 
darkness all the horrors of winter seemed at once to 
burst upon them. The snow fell unremittingly till it 
covered the face of the earth, and every object upon 
it that was not considerably above its surface. The 
cold was intolerable; and now it was that the loud 
complaints of human nature, suffering under every 
ill, burst from every lip. Then, O Napoleon! were 
thy magnificent titles of Conqueror^ King^ and Empe- 
roff forgotten in the general accusation of Tyrant^ Be 
trayer. Murderer! 

The morning broke, and the usual track of their 
march had disappeared. The weltering bodies of their 
companions, the stiffened corpses of them who had 
perished by famine, all were hidden from their sight 
under one wide waste of snow. The cry which broke 
from their hearts at this desolate spectacle, this whiten =^ 
ed world, which shut from their emaciated hands 
every root of the earth, every blade of grass for their 
fainting cattle, was like the cry at the judgment day— 



^96 

all hope was vain, and the direst perdition seemed to 
await them at every point. 

Severe as had been their sufferings before, it was 
from this moment that the French army knew by ex- 
perience the utmost stretch of evils that humanity 
could bear. It was now that they knew, by ten thou- 
sand nameless horrors, what was imported in the 
term a northern winter. Buonaparte had taught them 
to deride its described terrors, and to hold them at 
nought. He had pledged himself that they should defy 
all its powers, by the exertions of his care, his fore- 
sight, his preparations. They should cheer its gloom 
with full boards and festivities; they should create a 
southern sun in its dreary atmosphere, by the glow 
of victory, and the glory of renown. This had been 
the promise; but what the reality? His foresight was, 
to lead them to destruction; his care, to abandon them 
in the severest moment of trial; his preparations, to 
leave them in nakedness and want; his full board, the 
barren waste of famine; his festivals and triumphs, the 
bloody field of retreat, and the dishonoured grave! 



The frost commenced with an intensity uncommon 
even in Russia. The wretched fugitives of Napoleon 
were obliged to bivouac upon the naked snow, with 
no other covering than the drifting sleet which drove 



297 

against their exposed bodies like the piercing points 
of arrows. In these terrible nights of more than mor= 
tal cold, they attempted to light fires; and round the 
half kindled sparks they huddled together, to partici- 
pate the vital heat each yet contained. But it was so 
small, that in a few hours many hundreds died, and 
when morning dawned, their surviving comrades be- 
held them in ghastly circles of death around the glim- 
mering ashes. 

It was hardly in the memory of the oldest person 
in Russia, a winter having set in so early with such 
iron rigour. But the severest weather never found a 
people unprepared which had been educated from in- 
fancy to endure its annual return, and were never 
unprovided with means to repel any extraordinary 
violence. The Emperor, and the patriotic spirit of his 
nobles, had abundantly furnished the Russian army 
vvith provisions and winter cloathing; and, though out 
under all the inclemencies of the season, they hardly 
felt its fierceness. 

Not so the French army. The persons who com- 
posed its legions were most of them born under more 
genial suns; their constitutions knew no habits an- 
swerable to the attacks which would be made on them 
in cold climates, and as no fictitious means had been 
prepared of shielding them from such inevitable evils, 
the consequence could not be but fatal. 

Day after day these unhappy men dragged on their 
wretched existence. All military ideas were thrown 
aside: it was no longer an army that was retreating, 

2P 



^98 

but a multitude of famishing individuals, each seek- 
ing his own preservation, and careless of all other ob- 
jects in the world. To speak of discipline, or order, 
was mockery to them. They spurned at a command 
so impotent, that it could only issue its decrees to 
their perishing ranks. " Give us bread," they would 
cry, *' and we will obey you!" Officer and private 
alike contemned every effort of the Generals to main- 
tain subordination, and the visible appearance of an 
army. They broke away in bands, like wild beasts 
howling for their prey; and rushing together, or in 
desperate solitary attempts, tore down every obstacle 
in their path to procure food and raiment. Friend and 
foe were assailed; self-preservation was their sole mo- 
tive, and when no Russian property presented itself 
for plunder, they fell upon their own waggons, and 
pillaged them of their contents. A horrible distraction 
seized upon thousands, and wherever they moved the 
direst spectacles tracked their steps. Their figures 
now appeared hardly human; the faces of some were 
disfigured by the loss of various features from the in- 
veteracy of the frost; others had lost their hands or 
feet, some whole limbs, but even these injuries were 
small, when compared with the combination of bo- 
dily sufferings (hitherto unknown in the annals of the 
world) which fell upon many, and produced diseases 
for which there is yet no name. The most horrible 
Golgotha of human victims sacrificed to the Molochs 
of India, could not be more fraught with the wrecks 
of mortality, than this road of death. Here perished 



299 

man put on every shape of horror, and vast and deep 
were the heaps of his remains. Some lay in enviable 
rest; but history will have the abhorrent fact to relate, 
that many were the mangled bodies torn by the hands 
of their maddened comrades, who, wrought to frenzy 
by the pangs of unappeased hunger, seized on the 
limbs of the dead, and devoured the loathsome flesh 
with the appetites of cannibals. 

Such were the effects on the most violent spirits 
amongst these wretched men; but those of a more 
temperate nature, bore the miseries of want and cold 
with a stern despair, until the weakness of their frames 
not allowing them to contend with the influence of the 
frost, a frightful drowsiness seized on all their facul- 
ties. Thousands in this state sunk into the hands of 
their conquerors; without speech, deprived of every 
sense, and almost motionless, they ceased to live even 
before they ceased to breathe. 

The phials of wrath seemed to pour all their fury 
on the devoted heads of Napoleon's army. It was a 
scene that must make the most infidel mind pause to 
meditate; it was a scene to wring with agony the most 
obdurate heart. Bitter then was the cup of misery 
which man drank to the dregs. 

As man brought himself by his own will into the 
way of these evils, it seems but just that he should 
be the longest afiiicted. The poor animals which the 
French army had made the companions of their inva- 
sion, also suffered, but death sooner relieved them 
from their pangs. In every part of the retreat it was 



300 

observed that although the men had all the miseries 
which reason, in such a situation, must add to those 
of the body, to contend with, yet their animals more 
immediately felt the fatal effects of the season. Each 
day and night the horses died by hundreds. These 
poor creatures had long been without forage, and the 
fatigue they endured had quite exhausted them even 
before the winter set in; but when that put the last 
stroke to the misery of the French army, no care was 
taken to shoe the animals for their icy march, and the 
consequence was injuries to their feet which nothing 
could cure, and a weakness of limbs which debilitated 
the creature to an excess that rendered him almost 
useless. To remedy this, what the enfeebled strength 
of a few could not do, many were brought to accom- 
plish; thus, instead of the usual complement of horses 
to draw a heavy piece; of artillery or a waggon, twelve^ 
fourteen, and often twenty, were put to the task. But 
even with this addition, should they arrive at a rising 
ground up which the load was to be drawn, it became 
an insurmountable barrier, and guns and waggons 
were abandoned. The cavalry, (all excepting the ca- 
valry of the guards), were hourly dismounted to assist 
with their horses in these often vain attempts to save 
their artillery and baggage. Sometimes, to preserve 
the horses, the baggage was left, and frequently both 
were lost together; the horses sinking at once under 
the unequal labour, and the abandoned waggons seized 
in the sight of tlieir owners by the hovering Cossacs. 
The grand army of Russia, continuing its march 



301 

by cross roads, kept in a parallel line with the retreat 
of the enemy. General Miloradovitch ceased not to 
press upon their left flank, while he proceeded with 
Platoflf and his clouds of the Don, which, with a 
fiercer fire than ever shot from the Boreal-Morn, 
hung on the corps of Beauharnois. The passage of 
the Dneiper at Dorogobouche, had been anticipated 
by the Russians; and a strong corps from their main 
army was fast approaching to increase the enemy's 
difficulties in attempting to cross it. 

Every arm, in this awful moment, was raised to rid 
the empire of its invaders, and to hurl a direful retri- 
bution on their heads. The great, the aged Koutou- 
soff, rested neither day nor night, but exposed himself 
at all hours, and under every inclemency of the sea- 
son, to watch the progress of the enemy's flight; to 
share anxiety and fatigue with the youngest and most 
active of his soldiers. While he shared in their toil 
and in their glory, he forgot the merits of his own 
animating example, and thus unequivocally demands 
the gratitude of posterity for the men he led to con- 
quest. 

" The Cossacs perform miracles of bravery. They 
not only destroy whole columns of the enemy's in- 
fantry; but fall with undaunted resolution upon his 
flaming artillery. They destroy all that opposes theme 
Indeed the same spirit animates the whole of the Rus- 
sian army." 



302 

On the 7th November, General Platoff,, at the head 
of his band of warriors, passed swiftly along the right 
side of the road leading to Dorogobouche. His pur- 
suit was Beauharnois, and to post his Cossacs in situ- 
ations to prevent the marauding parties of the fugitives 
from destroying the villages which had yet escaped 
the last ravages of war. As he came down upon the 
way which leads from Dorogobouche to Douchovo- 
china, not far from the village of Zeselia, he fell in 
with a division of Beauharnois. 

The gallant chief of the Cossacs, even on the instant 
of rencontre, threw his followers into order of attack, 
which he could do to advantage, as the enemy had 
taken a very open position. He directed both flanks of 
his opponent to be assaulted at the same time, while 
he with a chosen squadron would bear down upon the 
centre. Victory now seemed to sit upon his helm. The 
enemy's right and left were turned, and the centre, 
not able to stand the united charge of chasseurs, ar- 
tillery, and Cossacs, gave way in every direction; 
some fled, but many fell, dyeing the pale snow with 
torrents of human blood. Discomfited at every point, 
this once formidable division separated from before 
the swords of their victors, one party flying towards 
Douchovochina, and the other taking wing to Smo- 
lenzk* Platoff" dispatched a strong corps in pursuit of 
the latter, while he himself followed the former, (at 
whose head was Beauharnois), with a body of troops 
determined to seize or pursue its commander to the 
verge of the empire. 



303 

The gallant train came up with the object of their 
chase the next day near to the banks of the Vope. 
The atmosphere was darkened by a thickly -falling 
snow, but darkness and light were the same to the 
zeal of the Cossac, the blaze of his own ardour was 
sufficient, and the battle was renewed. Beauharnois 
made a firmer resistance than before; his soldiers re- 
ceived the charge of the Russians with a furious re- 
coil, and the combat raged for a little time with a 
grappling kind of courage. But it was not the cou= 
rage of military order; the voice of command was not 
heard; all was the result of individual feeling, at one 
moment cutting down his adversary, and in the next, 
hurried on by frantic despair, precipitating himself 
upon the pointed weapons of the Cossacs. 

Upwards of fifteen hundred of the enemy were 
killed during the attacks of these two days; and three 
thousand five hundred taken prisoners. Amongst the 
latter were General Sanson, many chiefs of regiments, 
and more than one hundred officers of inferior ranks. 
The spoil were sixty-two pieces of cannon, several 
standards, baggage, &c. &c. 

PlatofF, having destroyed nearly the whole of Beau- 
harnois' division, moved down upon Douchovochina 
to finish its destruction, and then dispatched eight re- 
giments of Cossacs to strengthen those already sent 
towards Smolenzk. His intentions were to follow these 
successes by proceeding on the great road beyond 
Selobpneva, and then turning on the heads of the 



304 

enemy^s advancing columns, cut them off in van and 
rear. 

A short time after this affair, some of the Russian 
parties intercepted a French courier with letters from 
the defeated division, to that at Smolenzk. Two are 
here subjoined from Beauharnois, and they will give 
no faint impressions of his own idea of the sufferings 
of the unhappy wretches under his command. 



Letter from the Viceroy of Italy to the Prince ofJVeuf 
chatel^ dated from the village of ZeseliOi November 
1th, 1812. 

" I have the honour to inform your Highness that 
I put myself in motion at four o'clock this morning, 
but the badness of the roads, and severity of the frost 
opposed so many obstacles to the march of ray divi- 
sion, that our van only was able to reach this place by 
six in the evening, the rear taking up a position nearly 
two leagues behind. 

" At five in the morning, the enemy appeared on 
our right, attacking at the same instant our van, our 
centre, and our rear, with artillery, Cossacs, and dra- 
goons. At the head he found an opening of which he 
took immediate advantage, and charging with a loud 
houra! made a prize of two pieces of regimental can- 
non which had been stopped by a steep acclivity at 
some distance from their escorts. The 9th regiment 



305 

ran to recover them, but they had been ah'eady car- 
ried off. 

"On the rear- guard the enemy opened a fire from 
four guns, and Genenil Ornano believes that he saw- 
infantry upon every other point with two pieces of 
cannon each, but he does not assert it as a positive 
fact. 

*' Your Highness must allow that my situation is 
extremely critical; embarrassed as I am by the quan- 
tity of baggage with which I have been forced to en - 
cumber myself, and by a long train of artillery of 
which, without exaggeration, four hundred horses 
have died this day. Nevertheless I shall continue my 
march by dawn to-morrow with the intention of reach- 
ing Pologgi, where I shall endeavour to gain that in- 
formation which must determine whether I shall 
proceed to Douchovochina or to Pneva. 

*' I will not conceal from your Highness that after 
making every exertion to carry forward the artillery, 
I am at last under the necessity of abandoning so 
fruitless an attempt. In our present situation we must 
be prepared to make great sacrifices, and this very 
day several guns have been spiked and buried. 

" I have the honour, &c." 

Letter from the Viceroy of Italy to the Prince of 
NeufchateU dated November %th^ ISli^, at the pas- 
sage of the Vope. 

*' I enclose to your Highness a letter which, though 
written by me yesterday, failed of reaching you; the 

2 Q 



306 

officer who was to have delivered it having been led 
astray by his guide. 

" Your highness will be surprised to find me yet 
upon the Vope; I have not however been the less ac- 
tive in quitting Zeselia by five this morning, but the 
road is so cut with ravines that it required nearly 
miraculous efforts to reach even thus far. It is with 
the most painful feelings that I discover the necessity 
I am under of confessing to your highness the great 
sacrifices we have made to expedite our march. These 
three days only, have cost us two-thirds of our artil- 
lery, and of the troops, four hundred horses died 
yesterday, and to-day we have lost double that num- 
ber, not including any of thqse I was obliged to pro- 
cure for the baggage waggons and other carriages. 
Whole trains perished nearly at the same instant, 
several of which had been three times renewed. 

" To-day this division of the army has not been 
disturbed in its march. Some thought they perceived 
Cossacs without artillery, but that circumstance not 
being usual, it may be a mistake. If the report of one 
of the Voltigeurs, who was sent out on a marauding 
party, may be believed, he was followed by a column 
of infantry and artillery taking the same direction with 
ourselves. 

" To-night I send a strong reconnoisance upon Dou- 
chovochina, which place I expect to reach to-morrow, 
provided the enemy does not oppose a serious resis- 
tance to my march; for I must not conceal from your 
Highness that the sufferings of these three last days 



307 

have so completely depressed the spirit of the soldiery, 
that I fear they are at this moment incapable of making 
any sort of exertion. Many of the troops are dead from, 
•famine and from cold; and others, in despair, have 
suffered themselves to be taken by the enemy. 

*'I have the honour, &c." 

By moving upon Douchovochina, Beauharnois cut 
off {he communication between him and the greater 
body of the French army, and his taking such a route 
can only be accounted for in his anxiety to find some 
subsistence for his famished people. Could this be 
accomplished he might have a hope of gaining Vi- 
tepsk, and joining the remnant of his division with the 
forces of Victor and Oudinot, who were supposed to 
be then in that neighbourhood. 

Whatever might have been his future object, the 
means to reach it were destroyed by the Cossacs. 
They never checked the career of their pursuit, till 
they chased the Viceroy of Italy and his staff to the 
gates of Smolenzk; and saw the poor wretches who 
had formed the last fragment of his division, dispers- 
ing themselves for shelter in every direction, flying to 
the woods and over the trackless snows, where they 
perished to a man. 

There was not one of the Generals of Napoleon 
who did not openly or secretly condemn their leader 
for persisting in leaving Moscow with so immense a 
train of artillery. The delay it occasioned in their re- 
treat, and the vast consumption of cattle it occasioned 



308 

to transport it along, was one great cause of the future 
calamities of the army. Time, iiifinitely valuable at 
this crisis, was worse -han lost. The various impedi- 
ments which lay in the way of these heavy appen- 
dages of flight, stole away the hours and days in 
attempting to surmount them; thousands of horses, 
taken from riders too enfeebled to bear the toil of 
walking, perished in the harness of the guns; and the 
guns themselves were at last abandoned! But not till 
the delay they had occasioned had sealed the fate of 
the army: — it was overtaken by the Winter of the 
North! 

At this moment when his dismounted and fainting 
troops were left to the mercy of their pursuers, he 
affects thus to remark on their situation: " the enemy, 
who saw on the road the traces of the calamity which 
had befallen the army, hastened to take advantage of 
its misfortune. He surrounded every column with 
Cossacs, who, like the Arabs of the desert, carried off 
the trains and carriages which were separated from 
us. Such are the acts of this despicable cavalry, 
which make a noise, but are not capable of equalling 
in speed a company of voltigeurs. They are formida- 
ble by the favour of circumstances alone." 

All the hopes and false calculations of Buonaparte 
relative to the conquest of Russia, have been dissi- 
pated in endeavouring to realize them. Never was 
contempt of the character and resources of a nation 
more deeply rooted in the breast of man, than was the 
French Ruler's contempt of this empire. Never since 



309 

nations existed has there been manifested so unani- 
mous a patriotism, and with that patriotism a succes- 
sion of resources equal to every exigency of the time. 
The calamities of the invasion instead of damping the 
ardour of the people, drew forth in tenfold strength 
their courage and incalculable powers of war. And 
while Napoleon proclaimed to the world that he went 
to separate a race of slaves from their tyrants, he only 
made it apparent that in the empire of Ru^^sia still 
exists the polity of the patriarchal ages. There may 
be found the hereditary bond and the free: a circle of 
allodial princes, and their tenants who, born on the 
lands and of a line of ancestors coeval with the pedi- 
gree of their lords, are rather the sons than the slaves 
of the soil. When Englishmen, in general, speak of 
northern vassalage, it is evident they consider it in 
the same point of view that they did the slavery in 
the West Indies. But no two states can possess more 
distinct lines of difference. The bonds of the Russian 
peasant are the same with those which bound the 
Chaldean shepherd; the servitude of the negro in the 
West Indies, was the slavery of a Spartan helot. As 
there is a progress in civilization, and every nation 
cannot be prepared to share at the same moment the 
privileges of other nations, it is as illiberal as absurd 
to contemn all people who are not elevated to the 
same pitch of political consequence we are ourselves. 
Solon gave to the Athenians, not the best possible 
code of laws, but the best they would bear. Such is 
ever the conduct of wisdom. Nations are like chil- 



310 

dren. They are not set at perfect liberty till educatioa 
had made them a law to themselves. The Russian So- 
vereign and his princes are not ignorant of this ordi- 
nance of nature. The circumstances of the French 
invasion have called forth the characters of the people. 
The hipjh and the low are made st nsible of their rela- 
tive duties to the common weal: they are acquainted 
with their own powers; they are aware of each others 
virtues: — and the consequences are obvious. Alexan- 
der is the Father of his Empire! and the Russian na- 
tion must become as great in internal policy, as it is 
now renowned for loyalty and arms. 



Count Ogorofsky continued to move towards the 
country in the direction of Krasnoy, while Lieutenant- 
General Schepeleff, after reconnoitring and clearing all 
in his front, moved on his right to Einia. He found 
a strong body of the enemy in that city, but he did 
not allow them to remain there; in a few hours they 
were completely driven from the place and its neigh- 
bourhood. 

Miloradovitch, with the advanced guard of the 
great army, pushed on through Semlevo towards 
Dorogobouche. On the 7th of November he disco- 
vered the enemy constructing an additional bridge 
over the Dneipen That river intersects the great road 



311 

in two different places about eight wersts from Doro- 
gobouche. The most considerable part of the French 
army, with its guns and baggage, had already gained 
the immediate vicinity of that city. This detachment 
was therefore wholly unprotected; and Miloradovitch 
gave instant orders that it should be attacked. Being 
struck with terror at the unexpected charge, the men 
who composed it scarcely offered any resistance, but 
fell in heaps under the Russian sabre, or plunged for 
refuge into the river, where they were drowned. This 
impediment destroyed, Miloradovitch passed the whole 
of his forces over, and proceeded towards the town. 

The French army in arriving there, had taken up 
an advantageous position; but, like most of their late 
efforts, it was of no avail. The Russian General dis- 
patched a strong division to turn their left flank, their 
right being secured by the Dneiper. The combat was 
supported on both sides with the spirit of good sol- 
diers. It was desperate on the part of the French, and 
determined on that of Russia. Two hours, however, 
put an end to the contest, and the enemy followed his 
fate of flying from the field. During the flight up- 
wards of fifty ammunition waggons were blown up, 
and a vast number of guns thrown into the river. 
Several fell into the hands of the Russians, with about 
a thousand prisoners; and when the victors reconnoi- 
tred what had been the position of their adversary, 
they found it one line of dead and dying; the snow 
was blackened with their bodies; and every where 
around, the foot of man or horse could not step with- 



312 

out trampling on the wrecks of human nature, de- 
stroyed bj' the sword, or cold, or famine. 

Count Oiloff-DenizofF moved his force in a parallel 
direction between the great army and that of Milora- 
dovitch; and during his march very successfully con- 
tinued his exertions against the enemy, destroying 
their men, and burning their waggons. This gallant 
division had been greatly increased by numbers of 
organized peasantry, and several noble partizans who 
assisted the general in his glorious toils. When he 
reached the villages of Kolpitka and Doubasichi, 
which are not far from Dorogobouche, he learnt that 
the enemy, to the amount of nine thousand men, un- 
der the command of Brigade-General Augereau, were 
divided amongst the villages of Yazvine, Liachovo, 
and Dolgomostia. On receiving this information, (it 
was on the 11th of November), he pushed on with his 
whole force. Liachovo was the first object, and was 
attacked by the artillery under the orders of Captain 
Figner, an officer who, throughout the whole of this 
desolating war, gave unceasing proofs of courage and 
military skill. The enemy made an attempt to form 
on some rising ground on the right of the village, but 
the Russian shot rolling in upon their ranks and mark- 
ing them with horrid chasms, they deemed it prudent 
to retire again to the protection of the houses. Count 
Orloff-Denizoff, with his troops, immediately sur- 
rounded the place. The French Commander, seeing 
the inevitable consequences of his situation, did not 
hesitate, but laying down his arms, oifered to capita- 



313 

hte. This division, all taken prisoners, consisted of 
two thousand men, and sixty officers, including their 
General. The detachment, which occupied Dolgo- 
mastia, finding that Augereau was attacked, dispatch- 
ed a corps of cavalry to his support. These were met, 
charged and destroyed, nearly at the very moment in, 
which their General and brethren-in-arms surrendered. 

This was the first example of such a capitulation 
since the enemy's retiring from Moscow. 

Next day, the victorious Count scoured the rest of 
the villages of their hostile inmates. On his approach 
to Prennina he learnt that a large convoy of provi- 
sions, cattle, horses, and other necessaries for the 
French army accumulating at Smolenzk, was on its 
way from MohilofF, under the guard of strong detach- 
ments of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, the whole 
amounting to six thousand men. His information was 
so good, and his own movements so judicious, that 
he fell on all parts of this immense cavalcade almost 
in one instant of time, and his divisions closing in 
upon them, the whole was made his prize. One thou- 
sand five hundred of the enemy were killed, thirteen 
hundred were made prisoners, and four hundred wag- 
gons laden with biscuit, brandy and wine, were taken. 
Also two hundred head of cattle, and one thousand 
horses destined for the guns. Such was the report 
which the fugitive survivors of the action attempted 
to carry to Smolenzk; but the freezing blast and the 
shapeless drift destroyed what the sword had spared; 
and there was none to tell of a loss so terrible to an 

2R 



314 

army whose wants rendered the smallest assistance 
invaluable. 

Prince KoutousofF kept pace with the corps on his 
right, fixing his head- quarters at Elnia on the 7th of 
November, and on the 13th at Lobkovo. 

Buonaparte and his chosen band, having tracked 
their way over deserts lost in snow, at last came up 
with the relics of his once fine army at Smolenzk, 
and established his head- quarters there on the 9th of 
November. At the moment of his entrance into that 
city he was in perfect ignorance of the relative situa- 
tions of the several great divisions of the Russia» 
army. His flight to this point had been prosecuted 
under circumstances of such speed and alarm that he 
had not had the power of sending out parties of re- 
connoisance to any distance. However, he flattered 
himself, from the rapidity with which he had moved, 
that he must now be considerably in advance of the 
enemy, and might reach Minsk before Admiral Tchit- 
chagoff" could approach it from Volhynia. 

The division of Marshal Ney, (which now amount- 
ed to no more than fifteen thousand men), was yet a 
full day's march in the rear of the main body, and it 
was to be considered as its rear guard. Necessary 
as his advance might be, his utmost endeavours could 
not make more than a very slow progress; for the 
Cossacs and light troops of the Russian advanced 
guard fell on him at every point, and it may literally 
be said he purchased every step forward with the 
blood of some of his people. In one of his rencontres 



315 

%vith the imperial troops, he lost nine hundred and 
eighty men, twenty-two pieces of cannon, and sixty 
ammunition waggons. 

In fact, the numbers who perished of the French 
army, from the day of its evacuating Moscow, to that 
of its entrance into Smolenzk, are incredible. It ex- 
ceeded one hundred thousand men when it left the 
gates of the ancient capital, and at Smolenzk sixty 
thousand could with difficulty be mustered, and even 
the greatest numbers of them were hardly able to bear 
arms. Though too enfeebled by want and fatigue 
to contend with any effect against their armed ene- 
mies, they were still only too prompt to obey the cruel 
orders of their leader to avenge their defeats and their 
miseries upon the last remains of the native inhabi- 
tants of Smolenzk. Ever since this wretched city fell 
into the possession of the French it had exhibited one 
uninterrupted scene of tyranny. The authorities in- 
stituted by Buonaparte, had exerted their powers of 
aggression both upon the town and the adjoining coun- 
try with every act of avidity and ferocious violence. 
Amongst the many loyal Russians whose blood was 
daily offered by these monsters of cruelty to the am= 
bition of their master, was the brave Colonel Engel- 
hart. He was a private gentleman of Smolenzk, and 
on the entrance of the French into that government, 
he resolutely remained in his village, defending it 
against the rapacity of the enemy. Various parties 
were ordered out to destroy him and his little fortress 
together, but his courage was more than numbers. 



316 

and many of the brigands fell by his own intrepid 
hand. But, shame to add, at last one wretch was found 
who could be persuaded to act the traitor, and En- 
geihart was betrayed into the power of his enemies. 
The joy they manifested at sight of their captive fully 
tcstifitd the merit of his opposition, and when he was 
inierrogated on his conduct by his French judges, he 
answered in the simple language of virtue: 

" I have only done my duty as a Russian subject. 
The obligation of opposing them who would disturb 
the peace of our legitimate sovereign, and destroy 
our country, is imposed by the Divine Law upon us 
all: and I have nothing to regret, but that I am re- 
strained by these fetters from dying in the act of in- 
flicting vengeance upon our invaders." 

It was thus that the, noble Engelhart declared the 
principles of his heroic heart before the tribunal of 
his enemies. He listened calmly to the sentence of 
death which they passed upon him. He returned to 
his prison in chains, through the streets of Smolenzk; 
and re-entering his dungeon with the mild dignity of 
virtue, there made his last testament of affection to 
those he loved, and of firm defiance to the oppressors 
of his country. At the place of execution he pointed 
out to the French their error in believing that they 
could ever enslave Russia; he predicted the destruc- 
tion of her invaders, and thanked heaven that even 
his murder would prove a service to the empire. 



317 

Death had so few terrors for him who had becQ 
conducted to the scaffold by his virtues, tliat, when 
the executioners would have blindfolded him, he re- 
moved the bandage, and fixing his intrepid eyes upon 
the muskets which were levelled at him, made the 
sign of the holy cross upon his bosom. He fell a sol- 
dier of Christ, he fell a noble sacrifice to his duty as 
a subject and a man. 

Very few were the days that the French army, beat- 
en by the tempest raised by their crimes and the ele- 
ments, remained at Smolenzk; but those few days 
were marked with every horror the most wanton cru- 
elty could inflict. It was the reign of violence. Mad- 
dened by privation, and infuriate with every venge- 
ful passion, the tide of rapine knew no bounds; blood 
flowed in every quarter, and the unrestrained swords 
of these famished bands even went so far as to attack 
the guards of their own stores, to pillage the contents; 
and in phrenzied intoxication, to consume by fire 
what they had not strength to bear away. Indeed the 
disorder amongst the troops rose to such a pitch that 
no common measures could bring it into any rule. 
The officers were set at defiance, and while any sus- 
tenance could be rifled from the magazines, the men 
despised subordination, and rioted in all the excess 
of mutiny and desperation. It was the bold despair 
of the seamen, who, seeing their vessel must founder, 
break into the ship-stores, and sink inebriated into 
their watry grave. There was ruin in every moment 
of this system being endured; and to check it at least. 



31& 

by changing the object of their avidity, Buonaparte 
gave orders that his disorganized people should be 
marched from the town towards the abundant grana- 
ries he had provided in Poland. 

The last tragic act of fire and devastation that was 
to be performed in Smolenzk, was left to the direc- 
tion of Marshal Davoust, and to be executed by those 
of his division who had happened to suffer the least 
under the late fatigues and privations. The orders to 
this effect were transmitted to him by Berthier, at the 
command of their August Dictator, and they may be 
found in the following intercepted letter: 



The Prince of Neufchatel to the Prince of Eckmuhl, 

" PRINCE D'ECKMUHL, 

*' It is the Emperor's command, that you support 
the Duke d'Elchingen in the retreat of his rear-guard. 
The Viceroy goes to>morrow to Krasnoy: you will 
be careful, therefore, to occupy and relieve such 
posts as may be necessary for the security of the 
Viceroy's advance. The intention of his Majesty is, 
that your corps and that of the Duke d'Elchingen 
should fold themselves back upon Krasnoy; and this 
movement must be made on the 16th or I7th. 

" General Charpentier, with his garrison, consist- 
ing of two-thirds of the Polish battalions, and one 
regiment of cavalry^ will quit the city with the rear- 
guard. 



319 

■* Previous to the evacuation of the town you must 
blow up the fortifications around Smolenzk, by set- 
ting fire to the mines already prepared: you must 
personally superintend the burning of the ammuni- 
tion, magazines, and the artillery waggons, as well as 
of the muskets. In short, every thing that cannot be 
carried off, must be destroyed. Such of the cannon 
as you are unable to remove, must be sawn asunder 
and buried. The Generals Chasselopp and Laribais- 
siere, remain here, to execute their share in the fore- 
going dispositions. You will be particular, Monsieur 
le Marechal, to order out patroles, for the purpose of 
preventing stragglers, and you will take measures for 
the removal of the sick, so that as few as possible may 
be left in the hospitals. 

(Signed) " Alexander ^ the Prince of Neufchatel^ 

" Major-General." 

2 O. S. ") 

Smolenzk, the — Nov. L 7 in the morning. 

14 N.S.J 



The orders of Napoleon were still held in respect 
by his Generals, and with regard to the ruin in Smo- 
lenzk they were strictly obeyed. The command was 
devastation! and even the most mutinous soldier fell 
into the line that was to do the work. Use had made 
destruction a habit of their minds, and in the present 



320 

case it was augmented to enjoyment, by making it an 
act of revenge. The mines were filled with upwards of 
eight hundred immense cases of combustibles. The 
city was fired in every quarter at once, and, as soon as 
the last ranks of the grand army filed out of it, the 
signal brand was thrown and the explosion took place. 
The raging of the flames, the thundering of the burst- 
ing mines, and the tremendous fragments of stone and 
wood that were hurled into the air, and fell back in 
blazing ruin, created the appearance of a volcano in 
the midst of the wintry desert. And beneath this 
burning shower, and wrapped in clouds of smokcj 
Davoust issued from the falling suburbs of the city, 
to join his master, who had departed on the 13th for 
Krasnoy. 

Napoleon, as usual, had chosen his companions, 
taking with him his guards only, who, indeed, were 
the only troops who now affected any zealous attach- 
ment to his person, or maintained discipline amongst 
their ranks. 

The Grand Russian army, by continuing to ap- 
proach the city of Krasnoy, greatly increased the 
effects of General Miloradovitch's movements upon 
the enemy's rear. That excellent officer having ap^ 
proached Liaghovo, by a movement on his left, 
pushed on to the villages in the vicinity of Krasnoy, 
in consequence of his finding that the chief part of 
Beauharnois' corps had been destroyed; that Piatoflf 
was following the rest in the directions of Douchov- 
china and Smolenzk; and that Ney was also flying for 



321 

refuge to the latter place. The whole Russian corps 
to a man participated in the zeal of their general, and 
they marched eagerly on, hoping to intercept some 
of the enemy's columns before they could quit Smo- 
lenzk. 

The great body of the Russian forces, now moving 
in a concentrated form, under the command of so 
consummate a General as Koutousoff, awakened an 
universal expectation in the country that the decisive 
stroke on the Invader and his army was soon to fall. 

The light troops and parties under the Counts 
Ogorofsky, Osterman- Tolstoy, and Orloff-DenizofF, 
were hourly destroying or taking prisoners the French 
detachments in their retreat from Smolenzk. 

Buonaparte had arrived safe at Krasnoy, but being 
now well aware that his pursuers were much nearer 
than he either wished or expected, he awaited with 
the greatest anxiety the coming up of Marshal Da- 
voust. However, to provide against accidents, he 
made the best dispositions for his troops that the 
city and its environs would admit, taking some advan- 
tageous stations in the village of Dobroe and on the 
Orcha road to secure his escape in a case of extremity. 

On the 17th of November, Miloradovitch masked 
his advance with the village of Merlino and the un- 
even grounds in its neighbourhood, in order to allow 
the troops of Davoust (which were then proceeding 
towards Krasnoy) to pass his line. This done, he 
would attack their rear, whilst their left flank should 
meet a similar greeting from the third corps and se- 

2 S 



322 

cond division of cuirassiers under General Prince 
Galitzen. At the same time, three strong divisions of 
infantry and artillery, with detachments from the 
corps of Ogorofsky and Borosdin, supported by eight 
regiments of Cossacs and chasseurs, should pass 
through the villages of Soukovo and Sorokino to- 
wards Dobroe, to cut off the flight of the enemy by 
that route. 

Davoust, though always expecting annoyance, 
moved forward without any idea that the enemy me- 
naced him with such a force. Unconsciously he pass- 
ed through their deep, and to him invisible, defiles 
near Merlino; and, marching on with feelings almost 
of security, he had just gained the village of Koutovo, 
about three wersts from Krasnoy, when he was con* 
founded by finding himself assailed at once, in flank 
and rear, as if by an army risen out of the earth. 
Fearing that he should be totally encircled, he halted 
to form and prepare for a battle; but the hot and heavy 
fire of the Russian musketry and guns pressed his 
people so close upon each other, and the ground on 
which they stood was so unfavourable, that in en- 
deavouring to produce order, and to force his men 
into some shape of defence, he only redoubled their 
confusion. Miloradovitch gave them no time to re- 
cover from their first dismay, but ordering his men 
forward they precipitated themselves upon their foes 
with uplifted sabres, and the bristling points of count- 
less bayonets. These relentless weapons soon gave 
a movement to the enemy, but it was to fly. 



323 

The Great Napoleon, from amidst his guards, wit* 
iiessed the commencement of this terrific route; butj 
not waiting to behold its issue, he turned his horse 
and fled at full gallop with his suite towards the town 
of Laidy. Thus did he abandon a division of his 
army, to which he had hitherto affixed so much coU" 
sequence, and leave to the fury of an incensed enemy 
a Field- Marshal whom he had always affected to re- 
gard with peculiar esteem. 

The complete destruction of the whole corps of 
Davoust succeeded to the acclaim of victory from 
the Russian lines. The cries of his deserted and dy- 
ing soldiers must have followed the flying steps of 
Napoleon, as he vanished from the field. He was deaf 
to the appeal, and was seen no more. The wretched 
creatures, who escaped the swords of their conquer- 
ors, sought shelter in the neighbouring woods which 
skirt the Dneiper, for an extent of five wersts. There 
these desolate beings, wounded, starving, and naked, 
laid them down under the frozen thickets, and soon 
forgot the desertion of their leader and their own mi» 
series in the sleep of death. 

It is impossible to pass over the shameful flight of 
Buonapart6 from the field of Krasnoy, and to witness 
the apathy with which he abandoned this division in 
its extremity, without feeling some touch of the old- 
fashioned idea, that hereditary sovereigns have an 
inherent parental love for their people, which never 
can exist in the breast of a strange prince. It would 
be difficult to persuade ourselves that Henri Quatre 



524 

could have fled from any field where he must leave 
his subjects to be butchered. But we need not go so 
far back for a proof of this kind of affection: Louis 
XVI. need never have returned from Varennes, would 
he have allowed his friends to fire upon the suspicious 
persons who approached his carriage — ''Spare my 
people!" he said, and his own death on the scaffold 
was the reward of his tenderness! 

If Napoleon did not act as became a sovereign, 
Davoust possessed so much more honour than his 
master, that he maintained his character of a General 
to the last. He fought without receding a step, until 
the total destruction of his division, and the flight of 
the few who survived, drew him along with them into 
the woods. 

The detail of the French loss in the battle of Kras- 
noy was, two generals, fifty-eight ofllicers of different 
ranks, nine thousand one hundred and seventy sol- 
diers, taken prisoners. The killed amounted to four 
thousand: and the remainder of the division, flying in 
every direction, perished in the manner before de- 
scribed. The trophies of the victory were seventy 
cannons, three standards, and the baton du Marechal 
of Davoust, with the whole of his baggage, and no 
inconsiderable part of Napoleon's. 

By the defeat of this branch of the army, the corps 
of Ney was completely cut oft'. Indeed, the discom- 
fited General had no means of apprising Ney of what 
had happened, that he might avoid a similar destruc- 
tion. His division was to leave Smolenzk on the very 



325 

day of this victory. And Prince KoutousofF being in- 
formed of his march, took instant measures to mis- 
lead him, and to make his detachment follow the fate 
of his friend's. To separate him entirely from any com- 
munication with the main body of the French army, 
the Commander in-chief dispatched a strong division 
to Miloradovitch. These troops were posted near the 
villages close to the high road, and a range of bat- 
teries were constructed of forty pieces of cannon, 
commanding the only access to Krasnoy by the high- 
way. Through it Ney's division must pass to reach 
the town, and by so doing it must inevitably fall in 
with the groat body of the Russians which was posted 
dose to Krasnoy. 

On the 19ih the Cossacs in advance discovered the 
enemy, but from the thickness of the fog they could 
not calculate the number of his columns. The same 
density of atmosphere prevented him discerning the 
batteries that were prepared to destroy him. 

The French Marshal came rapidly forward, and 
seeing only small parties in his way, affirmed them to 
be only bodies of reconnoisance; and urged his men 
to haste to join the division of Davoust and their Em- 
peror at Krasnoy! Full of this expectation, he had no 
idea but that Koutousoff was at a considerable dis- 
tance from him, and he proceeded confidently forward 
till he arrived within half a cannon shot of the Russian 
batteries, and there he was presented with a flag of 
truce and a summons to surrender. At this he laughed, 
still believing that the troops he now saw were at the 



526 

best biit a small detachment. " Je saurai me faire jour!'" 
exclaimed he, and rushed to put into execution his 
determination. 

The answer to this reply was immediately made by 
the Russian guns, and then indeed was he convinced 
of his mistake. He saw his men, at the distance of two 
hundred paces from the cannons' mouths, fall in whole 
ranks, but the instantaneous slaughter did not check 
the resolution either of the soldiers or their comman- 
der. The surprise only seemed to elicit the full blaze 
©f their courage, and they charged upon the batteries 
with the most furious impetuosity. The carnage was 
dreadful: showers of grape mowed down hundreds, 
but still the vacuum was filled. A valour worthy of 
the noblest cause was exhibited by column after co- 
lumn pressing towards the batteries j to glory or the 
grave. At this crisis they suddenly found their rear 
assaulted, and were obliged to alter their position. A 
Russian division under the command of General Pas- 
kevitch, had issued from the villages and behind the 
high road (which had been the screen of the main 
army) and attacked the enemy's rear with the bayo- 
net. At the same moment his right was turned by the 
Hulans of the guards, and his left pushed by the gre« 
nadiers of the Pauvlofsky battalions. The French 
fought with intrepidity at every point, and kept up a 
heavy fire of musketry and grape upon the heads of 
their assailants — but all was in vain. They were sur- 
rounded, their position was raked from side to side 
l>y the Russian guns^ and Miloradovitch and his brave 



327 

followers setting their lives at nought, unless they 
could reduce this division to the same state as its 
predecessor, penetrated the ranks of the enemy with 
so resistless a force that their order was destroyed. A 
ruinous confusion increased every moment, and the 
slaughter redoubling in horrible heaps, a retreat was 
attempted by the bleeding remnant of the day. Order 
was impossible; it was no longer a military body, but 
a concourse of individuals, the relics of regiments that 
strewed the ground, seeking a refuge from an exter- 
minating sword! The wretched survivors followed the 
track in the snow yet left them by the fugitives of the 
preceding day, and fled into the woods. Ney crossed 
the Boristhenes at the extremity of these thickets, 
leaving in the hands of his conquerors his colours, 
cannon, and baggage. 

General KorfF pursued the fugitives wherever they 
might be found, and, before many hours, none of 
these two divisions, that were not prisoners, except- 
ing their Marshals, lived to tell the story of their dis- 
asters. 

Scarcely had the shores of the Dneiper witnessed 
the completion of this second victory, when another 
body of the French appeared in sight. It consisted of 
the last columns of the rear-guard, amounting to 
something more than eleven thousand men. They 
too, were ignorant of the late defeats of their coun- 
trymen, and were pressing forward in the same direc- 
tion, when a battery of twenty pieces opened upon 
them and checked their speed. A few minutes after- 



328 

wards their rear was charged by three thousand Rus-^ 
sian cavalry, and every demonstration being made to 
convince theni of their disability to resist, their Com- 
mander yielded to necessity, and dispatched a flag of 
truce to General Miloradovitch to ask for quarter. It 
was instantly granted, and the whole of the French di- 
vision surrendered and laid down their arms before the 
Russian troops. Eleven thousand men were made pri- 
soners, and one hundred officers; five thousand, with 
four Generals, were left dead in the field. Not a single 
dragoon was with these columns, consequently they 
had no means of reconnoitring, and were more than 
usually at the mercy of their enemies. Fifty pieces of 
cannon, the military chest, and all the baggage, (which 
contained much of the plunder from Moscow), fell 
into the hands of Miloradovitch. The loss sustained 
by the Russians during these two brilliant days, was 
not more than five hundred men. 

The French had abandoned Smolenzk on the night 
of the 16th, and on the morning of the 17th of No- 
vember. Its ashes were still throwing forth mingled 
columns of flame and smoke, when Platoflf approached 
it. He left within it a regiment of chasseurs, and a 
party of Cossacs, and then proceeded on the right of 
the Dneiper to take vengeance on the enemy who re- 
treated along its banks. The brave Hetman was ac- 
companied by fifteen regiments of Cossacs, and an 
adequate proportion of the horse-artillery of the Don, 
He set forward towards Katane in the way to Dou- 
brovna. General Orioff'-Denizoff', with his two Cossac 



329 

regiments, two light guns, and eight squadrons of 
dragoons were detached in his front. 

Previous to PlatofF's reaching Smolenzk, at about 
seventeen wersts from the town, and on the 15th of 
the month, he fell in with twelve pieces of cannon, 
and a train of carriages stretching to an incredible 
length, which had been abandoned by the French 
army in its progress to its promised depot of plenty. 
On examining the waggons they were found laden 
with spoil and plunder; with the moveable properties 
of towns and villages; but no food either for man or 
beast. The poor animals which had been destined to 
drag these useless loads were dead in their traces; and 
mingled with them, under every shape of past agony, 
lay hundreds of human bodies. Some had dropped 
from excess of fatigue; others showed by the gaping 
marks in their flesh, that while vainly attempting to 
remove from the hour of contest they had died vic- 
tims to previous wounds. Many had sunk down from 
their seats on the top of the carriages, stiffened into 
death even before they were conscious of its approach. 
Wherever Platoff turned his eyes he saw nothing but 
images of mortality. The ground was covered with the 
enemies of his country, but they no longer lived: it 
seemed like a scene of enchantment: and he marched 
by the insensible army as he would have passed a le- 
gion of marble statues which some mighty wind had 
levelled with the dust. 

Buonaparte had defied the victorious arm of Rus- 
sia; though beaten from Borodino, and forced from 

2T 



330 

the capital of the Tzars, he was still dominant in 
pride, he was still teeming with false reports, till a 
mightier arm than that of all the potentates upon earth 
assailed him. When the winter of the North, and the 
thunder of its storms rolled on him from every quar- 
ter; when its tempests of sleet hissed on him over the 
trackless desert; then it was that this Dictator of the 
world acknowledged to himself that he was not omni- 
potent; then it was that he first spoke the truth. It is 
not necessary to expatiate here upon the general falsity 
of his bulletins, whenever a true narrative might check 
the oracle of " Ceesar and his fortunes!" The pen of a 
gallant British officer, who is also a distinguished mili- 
tary writer,* has put this fact beyond a doubt. 

The accumulating disasters of the French army, 
the despair that darkened its onward path, and the 
horrors which appeared in its rear, all convinced Na- 
poleon that he could no longer hope to deceive the 
nations. The dreadful truth must eventually contra- 
dict such an attempt; and, therefore, from policy he 
took up an honest pen. On the 11th of November, in 
his twenty-eighth bulletin, he commences his confes- 
sions. But they were not made from a free heart, con- 
fident in its motives, and therefore fearless of events. 
He garbles and qualifies; in short, he gives you a 
sketch of events through a dimmed glass, and though 
you may catch an idea of the outline, you must look 
for the particulars in some clearer medium. 

* Sir Robert Wilson. 



331 



Whilst the grand army of the Russian Empire, &o 
successfully drove before it the main body of the 
French and its ambitious leader, Count Vigtcnstein 
pursued the advantages he had gained by the fall of 
Polotzk and the defeat of St. Cyr. Soon after the 
flight of that general, Vigtenstein was informed by 
Count Steingel, that, in following up his victories 
over the enemy, his parties of reconnoisancc had 
brought him information of large bodies of Bavarians 
who were advancing; and that they came on with such 
manifest superiority in numbers, it was prudent for 
him to fall back towards Dissna. 

On this intelligence being received, Count Vigten- 
stein ordered General Sassonoff, with twelve thousand 
men, to proceed with all expedition along the right 
bank of the Dwina, to cross the river at Dissna, and 
to unite himself without loss of time to the division 
under Steingel. The junction being effected, he was 
to proceed immediately with that General to attack 
the enemy at Ouschatch. 

The command and the execution seemed the act 
but of one moment; for early in the morning of the 
24th of October, this gallant body presented itself be- 
fore the enemy in the environs of that village. 

His cavalry showed themselves in great force, and 
a considerable party of infantry came out to form and 
©ppose the Russians; but the Count's additional troops 



332 

made him so superior in every respect to his oppo- 
nents that they were soon forced to quit the field, 
leaving three hundred men killed, and one hundred 
taken prisoners. Their precipitation was so great, that 
they passed a convoy of their own not far distant from 
the scene of their defeat, and had the mortification of 
seeing it seized by their pursuers without any resis- 
tance. It consisted of forty waggons, with a conside- 
rable escort. By this last prize twenty-two regimental 
standards, a great quantity of stores, a commissary- 
general, seven officers, and one hundred soldiers fell 
into the hands of the victors. 

By these successes, minor in appearance, but of 
magnitude in their effects, the Bavarians were totally 
cut off from the corps of Gouvion St. Cyr. That Ge- 
neral was then on his march upon Lepel, to unite the 
shattered remains of his divisions to a corps under the 
command of Marshal Victor, who had arrived in that 
neighbourhood. 

Count Vigtenstein having passed the Dwina at Po- 
lotzk, was now in full pursuit of the enemy in the di- 
rection of Lepel. The roads over which his conquering 
troops urged forward their glorious chase, presented 
an epitome of those leading from Moscow. Dead bo- 
dies of men and horses, and abandoned cannon and 
carriages, every where strewed the way. During his 
advance towards Tchasniki he took ninety waggons 
of ammunition, nine guns, and made eight hundred 
stragglers prisoners. 

On the 29th of October he arrived with his whole 



333 

force in the neighbourhood of Tchasniki, having or- 
dered Major-General Vlastoff to remain with a formi- 
dable detachment in the defiles between Drouja and 
Bretzlau, to watch the corps of Macdonald, and to 
maintain the communication with the troops of Gene- 
ral Lewis, which had already moved from Riga along 
the left bank of the Dwina with such brilliant success. 

By these mancEuvres, having secured the attention 
of the enemy to that part of the country, the brave 
Vigtenstein found himself at liberty, without any ap- 
prehensions for what he left behind, to follow up his 
present object, which was to prevent Victor's joining 
the main army under Buonaparte. While he thus aimed 
to divide the Marshal from his leader, he hoped at the 
same time to form his own junction with Admiral 
TchitchagofF, who could not then be far from Minsk. 

General Le Grand, who had taken the command of 
the French after St. Cyr received his wound at Po- 
lotzk, reached Lepel; and, on the 30th of October, 
had the good fortune to join Victor, whose corps, 
consisting of fifteen thousand men, were posted upon 
the Quia, close to the town of Tchasniki. The Rus- 
sians hailed not far from his line; and Count Vigten- 
stein determined to dislodge him from his position, 
that he might rid the town of such hostile neighbours, 
and acquire for himself the free possession of the ad- 
vantageous country on its right and left, where he 
could securely remain until he were fully apprised of 
the movements of KoutousoflF and of the army of the 
Danube. 



354 

According to these plans, early in the morning of 
the 31st the Russian Commander put his army in 
motion. The enemy on perceiving this, hastened to 
form, but after a very slight affair, between his troops 
and the covering cavalry and light artillery of the Rus- 
sians, he retired across the river Loukomnia. With 
that in his front, he attempted to make a stand, but 
Vigtenstein poured such a shower of bails upon him 
from his artillery and musketry, that, after sustaining 
a considerable loss, he put himself in motion again, 
and fell back behind another river. The Russians fol- 
lowed him close, galling him with the fire from their 
guns, and so harassing his movements with their ca- 
valry and musketry, that at length, after three hours 
exposing himself to their destructive operations, he 
retired as fast as the wishes of his adversaries would 
have had him, to Senno. This retreat left the whole of 
the country open to the Count, and he had purchased 
so great an advantage at a comparatively small price, 
for he did not lose more during the whole affair than 
four hundred in killed and wounded. The enemy left 
nine hundred dead on the field, besides having eight 
hundred men and twelve officers taken prisoners. 

Vigtenstein now fixed his head-quarters at Tchas- 
niki, and stationed his principal force in the village 
and neighbourhood of Smolnya, a place about three 
wersts distant from Tchasniki. He likewise detached 
a body of troops under the command of General La 
Harpe, with orders to divide themselves on their 



335 

reaching Beshenkovich, and proceed on both sides 
©f the Dwina to Vitepsk. 

These orders were executed with alacrity: and on 
the 7th of November, General La Harpe's advanced 
guard appeared before the city. At so unexpected a 
sight, the enemy set fire to the bridge, and opened 
two pieces of cannon, which had been planted on an 
adjacent height, upon their approaching adversaries. 
Both these attempts to impede their progress failed. 
The Russians attacked the enemy even in the act of 
destroying the bridge, extinguished the flames, and, 
in spite of the rapid fire from the two guns and the 
French musketry, drove him back into the town. In 
the same instant the rest of La Harpe's forces coming 
up, they joined the battle, and the enemy no longer 
making opposition fled precipitately through the su- 
burbs to the Smolenzk road. While one part of the 
victors pursued the defeated for nearly twenty wersts, 
making an immense havoc, and returning with a con- 
siderable number of prisoners, the other took posses- 
sion of the town. La Harpe had the satisfaction of find- 
ing there the French General Prouje, who was the 
Governor, and the Commandant Colonel Schvarde, 
with ten officers, and near four hundred soldiers. 
These were all made prisoners, and with them was 
taken a quantity of provisions, wine, forage, and am- 
munition, and the two guns which had in vain sought 
to command the bridge. 

The joy of the people on their liberation from the 
French yoke, and at the presence of their country- 



336 

men, is not to be described. At once it turned the 
scene of war into that of festival, and " long live the 
Emperor Alexander!" resounded from every quarter. 
While the citizens rejoiced in their freedom, the brave 
soldiers of Vigtenstein were greeted in their turn with 
the most inspiriting tidings, for it was at Vitepsk that 
they received full information of the French grand 
army having evacuated Moscow, and that many of its 
columns paved the road to Smolenzk, where at last 
its discomfited leader had arrived. This news, and the 
near prospect of meeting the retiring foe, filled the 
Count and his brave followers with the most triumph- 
ant ardour. The impatience of the men could hardly 
be controlled, and the officers entreated for the mo- 
ment of command when they should be ordered to 
rush onward, to assist in avenging the wrongs of the 
Empire upon the most obdurate and murderous ene- 
my that ever broke the peace of nations, and steeped 
the race of man in blood. 

Victor felt too severe a mortification at the defeat 
his division had sustained before Tchasniki, not to 
make some effort to displace the tarnish on his fame. 
He received a reinforcement of about three thousand 
men; and having called around him his detached par- 
ties from all quarters, determined in his turn to dis- 
lodge Vigtenstein from his position on the Oula. He 
was assisted in his plans to carry forward this resolu- 
tion, by the counsel of Oudinot, who had once more 
taken the command of the remains of his division. 
These colleagues quitted Senno in good order and on 



337 

the 14th moved upon Smohiya. In their approach they 
fell in with the Russian advance, who, according to 
orders, in case of an attack, were to fall back upon 
the main body, which was posted in the rear of Sniol- 
nya. The centre of the main body was protected by a 
battery of twenty pieces of cannon planted on a height, 
and several others covered the flanks, near which the 
reserves of cavalry were stationed. 

Vigtenstein's information of the enemy's designs 
was so excellent, and his measures to counteract 
them so prompt, that in all these cases it seemed as if 
his spirit must mingle in their councils, to give him 
such early and perfect intelligence, that all was pre- 
pared on the instant to render every scheme abortive. 

The advanced guard retreated according to the 
commands they had received, and the enemy, finding 
himself not opposed, followed with triumphant hopes, 
until the Russian retiring forces passing from before 
him he found himself all at once in front of Vigten- 
stein's centre. The surprise did not disconcert him, 
but urging his men forward to redeem the losses of 
former conflicts in the one before them, his whole 
body fell with fury upon the Russian line. The v'lU 
lage of Smolnya was his immediate object. He fought 
with the energy of a man determined at all hazards to 
recover the glory of an invincible name; and, in spite 
of the heavy discharges from the Russian guns, the 
place was taken. For a moment it was in his hands! 
but in the succeeding one the Russians forced his 
soldiers back upon their steps. Still he would not be 

2U 



338 

repulsed; and, with a wonderful valour on both sides, 
Smolnya was taken and retaken six different times at 
the point of the bayonet. The streets were blocked 
up with the dead, and the ground so slippery from the 
blood, that the combatants could hardly have kept 
their feet had they not been almost grappled together 
in the resolute contest. 

While this was going forward at the centre, the 
Russian wings were formidably threatened by several 
heavy columns of French infantry, which were well 
supported with artillery, and were bearing down with 
a very determined front. They were permitted to ap- 
proach, without molestation, to within a few paces of 
the Russian flanks; but when arrived at that point the 
guns and tirailleurs of their antagonists poured on 
them ceaseless showers of ball and grape, and soon 
levelled most of their too-confident ranks with the 
snow. 

In vain was the attempt renewed. Victor exerted 
all his powers, he collected his broken columns, he 
brought them in one strong body again to the assault, 
but again the Russian guns and the Russian bayonet 
harrowed up his lines; and the disappointed Marshal 
found himself compelled to leave the field while he 
had yet the semblance pf an army to take from it; 
and with the deepest mortification he drew off at the 
close of the day along the right bank of the Oula. He 
retired in this direction with the hope of getting round 
the right flank of his victorious enemy; but here again 
he was disappointed, by an unexpected rencontre with 



339 

General Fock, who commanded the Russian reserve. 
The darkness of the night put a stop to all hostilities; 
and so completely were his hopes annihilated, that 
with the morning's dawn he commenced a decided 
retreat, retracing the greater part of his steps, and 
then proceeding to Tchemerino, where he halted, on 
the two roads which lead to Senno and to Tcheria. 

The Russians sustained a loss, in this day's contest 
between Vigtenstein and Victor, of eighteen officers 
killed and wounded, and one thousand men; but they 
made eight hundred prisoners in the field, and six 
hundred more were taken by the cavalry in pursuing 
the enemy next day. The French left fifteen hundred 
dead upon the disputed ground. 

General Vlastoif drove their cavalry from Vidzy, 
and spreading his troops from thence to the town of 
Glouboko, made many prisoners, and took several 
pieces of cannon; and by this movement united his 
line of operation with that of Vigtenstein. 

On the 18th of November Colonel Tchernicheff 
gained Count Vigtenstein's head-quarters. He had 
been dispatched by Admiral Tchitchagoff, at the head 
of a regiment of Cossacs, to discover how far the 
army of Vigtenstein had advanced, and to give that 
general information of the Admiral's approach to 
Minsk. 

Much intrepidity and military skill were required 
to execute this arduous commission. The brave 
Tchernicheff had to make his way through many de- 
tachments of the enemy, some advancing and others 



340 

retiring, before he could reach his destined point. 
But he undertook the task with eagerness, and per- 
formed it with a judgment proportioned to his zeal. 
His sword was frequently dyed in blood during his 
perilous march, and his helmet as often crowned with 
victory. Several rivers interposed themselves in his 
path; and, notwithstanding the severity of the season, 
their rapid course prevented their being frozen. These 
were no obstacles to him; he and his heroes breasted 
the inclement stream, and passed it a la nage. It was 
not enough that he marched towards the object of his 
commander's orders, he gathered glory in his path, 
and his eye, guided by his ardour, seemed to see on 
every side of him. He overtook, and seized or de- 
stroyed, whole convoys; making their escorts his 
prisoners, or giving them to the dust, vdiich had so 
deeply been saturated with the blood of his country- 
men. To recount the various particulars of the march 
of this true hero might appear a romantic relation, a 
tale more suited to the hyperbole of fiction than to the 
sober record of facts. But all who are personally in- 
timate with Count Tchernicheff, with the comprehen- 
sive powers of his mind, which grasps in one sublime 
view the past, the present, and the future; which sees 
the fate which hangs on the decision of a moment, 
and has the courage to cast his life upon the point 
that cleaves the links; all who are acquainted with the 
invincible valour of his heart, and the almost super- 
natural power with which his spirit seems to mingle 
with the minds of his men, and to stimulate them to 



341 

the most heroic daring; none, who thus knew Count 
Tchernicheff, can deem any thing marvellous which 
tells of his bravery, and the prowess of his troops. 
Amongst his numerous services in this expedition, 
one of the most dear to his country is, that to his 
vigilance the gallant General Baron Vinzingerode 
owes his life and liberty; and also, that the Russian 
empire is indebted to the same resolution for the re- 
turn of another of its most invaluable officers.* 

From Count Tchernicheff, General Vigtenstein 
received the full particulars of the ruined state of the 
French grand army, and of the actual flight of the 
Saxon and Austrian troops. A few days after the ar- 
rival of this animating report, all was substantiated by 
Vigtenstein finding himself in direct communication 
with Platoff" and the main army. The General-aide- 
de-camp Golenischeff Koutousoff, arrived at the city 
of Babinovitchi on the 22d, and was the agent of this 
decisive communication. The conduct of himself and 
his troops, during his march, reflected honour on his 
illustrious name; and thus through a career of military 
achievements, he arrived at the point which was to 
complete the cordon of Russian forces around the re- 
treating divisions of Napoleon Buonaparte. 

Victor and Oudinot finding that their Great Leader 
was not merely in retreat but in flight, from the realms 
of the Russian Emperor, deemed it proper to follow 
his example. But they did not desert their troops; 

* See Note. 



342 

they marched at their head, sharing alike the evils of 
defeat with die triumphs of victory, and commenced 
their evacuation of the invaded ground on the 22d of 
November. They moved in the direction of Toutchi- 
no, vrith the hope of falling in with the fugitive divi- 
sions from the interior, and Dombrofsky*s corps from 
Mohiloff. Vigtenstein observed all their motions, an J 
his advanced guard followed them. 



The army of Admiral Tchitchagoff had been on 
its march towards Minsk, from the 27th of October, 
leaving, as has before been stated, a strong corps 
under General Saken in the neighbourhood of Brest- 
Litofsky. Major-General Liders was on his way from 
Voline; and General Hertel from Mazir to the same 
place of rendezvous. 

During these movements the advanced-guard of 
the army was commanded by Count de Lambert. 
While on his route he fell in with a party of Dom- 
brofsky's division at Novossverjene, pursued it to 
Kaydanovo, attacked it there, and compelled it to 
surrender. In this affair he took two pair of colours, 
two pieces of cannon, sixty-three officers, and four 
thousand soldiers. 

After this success of their advanced-guard, the 
army of the Danube proceeded without impediment 



343 

to Minsk, which place they took possession of on the 
16th of November. Admiral Tchitchagoff found it 
rich in well-stored magazines of various stores, also 
much baggage, which had lately arrived in advance 
from the French at Moscow; and a number of fugi- 
tives whom he touk prisoners. 

No sooner was the admiral in full occupation of 
Minsk, than he ordered the gallant De Lambert, 
(whose corps he greatly strengthened), to proceed 
with all expedition to Borrisoff, where he would fall 
in upon Dombrofsky. That Polish General lay there 
in much force, having augmented his numbers by 
every means in his power, and covered his position 
with a tete du pont. 

On the 21st the Russian troops came upon the out 
parties of the enemy, drove them to the shelter of 
their works, and, scarcely waiting for an order from 
their commander, the heroes of the Danube rushed 
upon the French and Poles, carried all before them, 
and precipitated the enemy with a terrible slaughter 
across the bridge. Some fell over the parapets, and 
were drowned, and those which escaped the river and 
the sword, fled with the most headlong haste towards 
Orcha. Thirty-eight officers, and four thousand sol- 
diers, with eight cannon, and two pair of colours, 
were taken by the victors in this contest. BorrisoflT, 
falling of course into their hands, numerous strong 
detachments of the army spread themselves along the 
left shore of the Berezina, even to beyond Zembino, 
to seize all the passes, and to destroy every bridge by 



344 

which Buonaparte and his legions might facilitate 
their escape. 

During the eight last days, previous to the brave 
TchitchagofF's possession of Borrisoff, he had made 
upwards of fourteen thousand prisoners, including the 
sick and wounded whom he found in Minsk. 

Thus the three Russian armies, for so they may be 
named, were drawn almost to a circle, around the 
half- animated remains of their once merciless, but 
now flying enemy. 

Buonaparte having dragged his famishing troops 
beyond Smolenzk, and still pushing them on with as 
much rapidity as they were capable of, imagined that 
he had passed the worst. He now cheered them, who 
had strength to listen to promises, with the hope of 
coming up with the corps of Victor, Oudinot, and 
Dombrofsky. He flattered himself that the junction 
would yet put him at the head of forty thousand sol- 
diers! Such would then be the grand army of France! 
Once an usurper, the mighty Augustus of Rome, de- 
manded with grief and indignation of his discomfited 
general, *' Give me my legions!" What would Napo- 
leon answer, if France were to demand of her Augus- 
tus, " Give me the four hundred thousand soldiers 
you carried from my frontiers!" 

On leaving Smolenzk, forty- three thousand men 
were his whole anticipated host! 

He counted on these three divisions of the before- 
mentioned Marshals, as if already in his lii^es, and 
with eager calculation he enumerated the advantages 



345 

of the country to which he was proceeding, where he 
must meet the vast magazines he had ordered to be 
prepared; and the fidehty of a whole people, who had 
once been under the jurisdiction of Russia, but were 
now devoted to France in him. Full of these antici- 
pations he reached Orcha, and there he found they all 
were vain. A thousand voices opened at once to tell 
him that Minsk and all its magazines were in the 
hands of Admiral Tchitchagoff. Desperation makes 
men bold; this report was quickly accompanied with 
accusations in the shape of information, saying, that 
the Russians had spread themselves in formidable 
bodies along the shores of the Berezina river; that the 
French Generals had been beaten, and the Polish 
General Dombrofsky defeated with a terrible loss. 

Galling as was such intelligence, and much as Na- 
poleon might wish to discredit its truth, he found it 
impossible, for the sad proofs of the universal de- 
struction of his armies were every day brought into 
the town. Flying troops, or solitary fugitives, were 
constantly pouring in for food and protection; and 
wherever he moved he beheld spectacles of defeat and 
misery; he heard the murmurs of wretchedness and 
the groans of despair. No parasite would venture to 
contradict to his master the evidence of his own eyes; 
and that master could no longer flatter himself into a 
disbelief that the Generals of Russia now held his fate 
in their hands. He learnt that Vigtenstein had been 
powerfully reinforced by Steingel, and was then in 

2X 



346 ' 

actual communication with Tchitchagoff, making all 
their movements in concert. 

This formidable junction in his path presented to 
the mind of Napoleon fresh scenes of defeat arid dis- 
grace; and he was well assured that the speed of his 
pursuers would not allow him a moment's repose in 
his rear. The situation in which he found himself was 
indeed new to him: he saw before him nothing but 
death or captivity; and yet he trusted to \iis fortunate 
star! 

Delay was encompassed with danger, and he deter- 
mined to advance at any rate. To this end he collect- 
ed his troops, and making some necessary preparations 
for what, he must be conscious, must be the last 
struggle of his army in his defence, he quitted Orcha, 
and gave orders that the passage of the river should 
be disputed at any sacrifice. What his own opinion 
was of the instruments he was using to cut his way 
out of the toil in which he had entangled himself, we 
have in his own words: 

" This army so complete on the 6th, became very 
different after the 14th^ nearly destitute of cavalry, of 
artillery, and of transport- carriages. Without cavalry 
it was impossible for us to reconnoitre beyond the dis- 
tance of a quarter of a league; while without artillery 
we could not risk a battle, and firmly remain in ex- 
pectation of the enemy. It was indispensable for us to 
occupy a certain space of ground to avoid being turn- 
ed, and that without cavalry, to unite the columns and 



347 

advance for the purpose of observation. This diffi- 
culty, joined to the suddenness of the intense cold, 
rendered our situation extremely vexatious. Those 
feebly-constructed men, to whom nature had denied 
the power of rising above the chances of place and 
fortune, appeared shaken, lost their gaiety and good 
humour, and brooded solely over present suffering 
and future calamity; but such as she had created 
superior to every accident, preserved their spirits and 
their ordinary temper, and saw in every new obstacle 
but additional glory." 

Those whom " nature had created superior to every 
accident," and had enabled to " preserve their ordi- 
nary temper," and even their lives, under all the 
attacks of a northern winter, without shelter or rai- 
ment, and accompanied with every " calamity" (not 
in prospect but in reality) of war, disease, and famine; 
those that were thus tempered were indeed very few: 
while the many who despaired and perished, were 
surely worthy of some pity from the man in whose 
cause they died. 

It is said that Jear lends wings. The flight of Buo- 
naparte proves, that those he borrowed were of the 
swiftest pinion; for, on leaving Orcha he found he had 
so outstripped his pursuers that he might pass the 
river without a sacrifice. The great mass of the Rus- 
sian army from Krasnoy having to make a short halt 
to give time for the arrival of their provisions, which 
the rapidity of their late movements had left conside= 



348 

bly in the rear, Buonaparte used this moment of 
breathing to the best advantage. He had been joined 
by some of his fugitive generals, whom he now thus 
disposed of. Dombrofsky he dispatched to the left of 
Borrisoff; and Victor and Oudinot to his right, to 
oppose Vigtenstein; whilst he, with the rest of the 
army, would approach the shores of the Berezina. 

Having made these dispositions, on the 20th of 
November he evacuated Orcha, and took the Borri- 
soff road through Kockanova, leaving many straggling 
parties behind, who had not come up with his late 
head-quarters before he quitted them. And fortunate 
it was for him that he had been so prompt in execut- 
ing his resolution to leave Orcha, for not long after- 
wards it was entered by Ogerofsky and his Cossacs. 

That officer, and his brave coadjutor, General Bo- 
rosdin, had been indefatigable in following up the 
rear-guard of the enemy, and near Doubrovna they 
fell in with a considerable body, killed more than one 
thousand, and took four cannon, a quantity of bag- 
gage, and upwards of six hundred prisoners. The 
rest fled, and the Russians continued to pursue the 
fugitives till they led them to the gates of Orcha. 
They entered with them, and found the town just as 
it had been evacuated by Buonaparte. Twenty- six 
cannon fell into their hands, with some prisoners, and 
an immense number of sick and wounded. 

Ogerofsky proceeded in the great pursuit by mov- 
ing on his left towards Gorki, in the direction of Mo- 



349 

hiloff, which road was covered with thousands of the 
flying enemy. 

Count PlatofF maintained his victorious career on 
the right shore of the Dnciper, where he continued 
to destroy hundreds of the discomfited corps which 
had fled from the defeat at Krasnoy. His chasseurs 
took upwards of three thousand of these men prison- 
ers, and happy were many of them so to be rescued 
from famine and constant exposure to the elements. 

While thus employed, the brave Hetman received 
intelligence that Marshal Ney, with a part of his shat- 
tered division, had been seen near the woods at the 
village of Goussinovo, where he was collecting strag- 
glers, to form a tolerably eftective force to move to- 
wards Orcha. Platoff" determined that if he could 
prevent it, neither Marshal nor soldier should ever 
see that place, and he ordered masked- batteries to be 
instantly constructed in the road Ney must pass, 
while, covering his Cossacs and other troops with the 
woods, he stood to overwhelm the unsuspecting ene- 
my. In the moment of their full entrance into this 
well concerted ambuscade, a dreadful fire of grape was 
opened upon them, and the exhausted troops finding 
death surround them, with one accord dispersed and 
fled into the woods. There the Cossacs met them, 
and slew about two thousand. Eight hundred were 
taken prisoners by the other troops. 

Marshal Ney, with a few of his followers, was so 
fortunate as to escape the search of his conquerors. 
But he passed the whole of the wretched night in the 



350 

snows of the forest. He did not sleep, for sleep in 
such a situation, under these malignant skies, would 
have been death. He wandered about with the dread 
at^very step of rousing his hunters from their rest, 
A tiger from its lair, would have been more tolerable 
to him: and, with the morning's light he pursued his 
flight, passing through abandoned Orcha with the 
speed of desperation. 

A short time before this event, the Cossac Chief 
had been reinforced from the main army with fifteen 
battalions, of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and 
two companies of artillery. This formidable aid joined 
him under the command of Major-General ErmollofF, 
who crossed the Dneiper near Rassasna. 

The advanced-guard, under Miloradovitch, passed 
the Boristhenes at Koscis on the 23d, in order to fol- 
low up Platoff and his colleague, who were rapidly 
approaching the army of Vigtenstein by the way of 
Toulchino. 

A little before this period the main army had re- 
ceived its provisions, and, having issued them amongst 
its divisions, it moved onward. On the 19th the head- 
quarters were at Dobrae; on the 20th at Romanova; 
the 21st at Laniki, where it halted. On the 23d it 
reached Garranu. It then passed through the village 
of Morosovo, and gained Kopis on the 25th, where 
it crossed the river, directing its march by Staroselia 
to the city of Zezerinya. From this place the Field- 
Marshal proposed moving, according to circumstances, 
upon Bobre, or the Berezina. 



351 

T^very observation on the enemy now convinced 
KoutousofF that he intended to force a passage some- 
Vi^here between BorrisoflP and Vassilevo. To prevent 
this, the main army moved on towards Ouchival, 
whilst a strong detachment proceeded to Barressino 
and took possession of that town. 

The corps under the General-aid-de-camp Koutou- 
soff, which had long acted on the extreme right of 
Platoff, marked its advance with a success equal to 
that of the Cossacs. During its various engagements 
with the enemy it took upwards of six thousand men 
prisoners, besides three Generals and eighty other 
officers, and killed more than equal the number. 

At Babonavitch, this gallant officer, so worthy of 
the illustrious name he shared, came up with the light 
troops of Count Vigtenstein. This junction was the 
prime object of his march, and when he arrived, he 
was to put himself under the orders of the Count, 
Vigtenstein was too well aware of his value, to allow 
him to remain a day without an employment adequate 
to his high military abilities. He therefore dispatched 
him instantly to his right flank, to cover it from any 
attack the enemy might make; and that one might be 
meditated, was evident from certain dispositions made 
by a strong body of Bavarians under General Wrede^ 
who were at that time in the neighbourhood of Dock- 
chitzi. However the links which formed the circle of 
the Russian army might move themselves, still the 
chain was complete: however the shattered divisions 
of the French army might extend themselves in their 



3S2 

flight, still they were held within the ring of their 
enemies. There appeared not an avenue of escape. 
The French soldier seemed to have nothing now to 
do, but to surrender or to die. 

To force Napoleon to one of these alternatives was 
now the object of the Russian generals; and before 
many days Count Vigtenstein, seconded by PlatoiF 
and the advanced guard of the main army, had the 
glory of striking a decisive blow towards his destruc- 
tion, on the banks of the Berezina. The final stroke 
was left to the arms of the heroes of the Danube and 
their intrepid chief. 

The corps of Oudinot and Victor took their rapid 
march towards BorrisofF. The wretched division of 
the latter was supposed to form the rear- guard of the 
once formidable grand army. General Vigtenstein 
followed these troops through Tcherie to Holopolichi, 
while his advanced guard under General Vlastoff fol- 
lowed the general pursuit, and fell in with a part of 
the enemy at the village of Batoury. This rear divi- 
sion was commanded by General Dentelne. Vlastoff 
attacked it without a halt, overturned every opposi- 
tion, and saw its dispersed members fly before him. 
in every direction. He pursued them for two days, 
during which time he made General Dentelne his 
prisoner, with forty ofiicers, and two thousand men. 

On finding the enemy retreat in such haste, and in 
such numbers, General Vigtenstein made a move- 
ment from the city of Holopolichi, to his right, to- 
wards the village of Barani, in order to cut oflf their 



353 

escape by Lepel, and to enable himself to act upon 
Vesselovo and Stoudentzi. At these two places the 
fugitives had collected in great multitudes, and were 
then constructing bridges over the Berezina, the old 
ones having been broken down to prevent their pas» 
sag'e. At one of these points he could not doubt that 
Buonaparte must be himself; and aware that the half- 
frozen state of the river must render the erection of 
bridges a difficult task, he hoped to intercept the 

PRIME MOVER OF THE WORLD's DISCORD at OUC OF 

other of these bridges. To this end he sent instant 
advice to PlatofF, not to delay a moment, but to push 
forward with all expedition towards BorrisofE Vig- 
tenstein accompanied these orders with his own move- 
ment from Barani to Kosstritzi. From tlience, in the 
afternoon of the 26th, he came down upon Staroy- 
Borrisoff, a short way from Stoudentzi. By the ra- 
pidity of this march, and its disposition, he completely 
cut off Marshal Victor from the point at which he 
aimed; and totally destroyed the various parties of 
other fugitives that lined the way to Stoudentzi. Not 
a moment was given them to form. The Russian ar- 
tillery at once opened their flaming mouths, and pour- 
ing grape and shot upon them they were drove from 
every quarter into one concentrated mass of terror 
and of death. Columns of Russian infantry spread 
themselves along the bank of the river, presenting an 
insurmountable barrier against them who vi^ould have 
attempted to cross. Four hours did the torrent of de? 
struction, from cannon and from musketry, shower 

2 Y 



354 

upon the heads of these devoted men, cooped up 
within a narrow circle, and almost unresisting. They 
could not fight, but they attempted to fly. No avenue 
could be found; and Count Vigtenstein, feeling for 
the distress of even so ruthless an enemy, sent a flag 
of truce to their general, telling him that as no hopes 
of retreat were left he must instantly surrender, or 
see his whole division abandoned to the rage of the 
Russian soldiers. For a few minutes hesitation seemed 
ready to precipitate these devoted people to the hor- 
rible fate of merciless extirpation; but in the moment 
of their doubt, and of the impatience of the indignant 
victors, the invincible chief of the Don and his fol- 
lowers made their appearance, and decided the coun- 
cil of war. They gave themselves up to the clemency 
of Vigtenstein, laying down their arms, and, in the 
surrender, put into his hands the four Generals Bil- 
liard, De Lettre, Kamuse, and Blamont. In the con- 
flict, the Russians had taken thirty officers and one 
thousand men prisoners; but the capitulation, besides 
the generals named above, augmented the list with 
the addition of five colonels, two hundred and thirty- 
nine officers, and seven thousand eight hundred sol- 
diers. Three pieces of cannon, two standards, and a 
vast quantity of baggage, were also taken; but the 
trophy of the greatest consequence was the seizure 
df two whole regiments of cavalry in excellent con- 
dition; the one had arrived to Victor from the Duchy 
of Berg, and the other was composed of fresh Saxons. 
Buonaparte not having been found in the one spot. 



355 

no time was lost in seeking him at the other; and 
immediately on the submission of the enemy under 
the Generals Billiard, &c. PlatofF was dispatched by 
the way of Borrisoff to the opposite shore, to join 
Admiral Tchitchagoff, and in conjunction with him 
to fall upon the grand fugitive, if he should have been 
so fortunate as to have passed, by any means, over 
the river. 

While the Hetman pursued his order. Count Vig- 
tenstein proceeded to attack the other branch of the 
enemy, even in the act of crossing the Berezina, 
Two bridges had been completed, the one near Stu- 
bentzi, and the other near Vesselovo. Here, indeed, 
was Napoleon. The opposite shore was Zembino. 
The instant the work was passable, the impatient 
Emperor of the French ordered over a sufficient num- 
ber of his guards to render the way tolerably safe 
from immediate molestation; and the moment that 
was ascertained he followed with his suite and prin- 
cipal generals, a promiscuous crowd of soldiers press- 
ing after him. The bridge was hardly cleared of his 
weight and that of his chosen companions, when the 
rush of fugitives redoubled. No order could be kept 
with the hordes that poured towards its passage for 
escape and life, for the Russians were in their rear; 
the thunder of Vigtenstein was rolling over their 
heads. No pen can describe the confusion and horror 
of the scenes which ensued. The French army had 
lost its rear- guard, and they found themselves at once 
exposed to all the operations of the vengeful enemy. 



356 

On the right and on the left there was no escape; can- 
non, bayonets, and sabres, menaced them on every 
side; certain deadi was on their rear; in their front 
alone was there any hope of safety; and, frantic with 
the desperate alternative, thousands upon thousands 
flew towards the Berezina, some plunging into the 
river, but most directing their steps to the newly 
constructed bridges, which seemed to offer them a 
passage from their enemies. Misery had long disor- 
ganized the French army, and in the present dismay 
no voice of order was heard; the tumult was tremen- 
dous, was destructive of each other, as the despair- 
ing wretches pressed forward and struggled for pre- 
cedence in the moment of escape. 

Vigtenstein stood in horror, viewing this chaos of 
human misery; to close it at once in death or in capi- 
tulation was the wish of his brave heart: but the ene- 
my was frantic; nothing could be heard but the roar 
of cannon and the cries of despair. The wounded 
and the dying covered the surface of the ground; the 
survivors rushed in wild fury upon their affrighted 
comrades on the bridges. They could not penetrate, 
but only press upon a crowd at the nearest extremity; 
for the whole bodies of these passages were so filled 
with desperate fugitives that they crushed on each 
other to suffocation and to death. IVains of artilleryj 
baggage, cavalry, and waggons of all kinds, being 
intermixed and driven pell-mell to one point, hun- 
dreds of human beings were trodden down, trampled 
on, torn and mashed to pieces. Officers and soldiers 



357 

were mingled in one mass; self-preservation was the 
only stimulus, and seeking that, many a despairing 
wretch precipitated his comrade to destruction, that 
he might find his place on the bridge. Thousands 
fell into the river, thousands threw themselves into 
jhe hideous stream, hoping to save themselves by 
swimming, but in a few minutes they were jammed 
amidst the blocks of ice which rolled along its flood, 
and either killed in the concussion or frozen to death 
by the extremity of the cold. The air resounded with 
the yells and shrieks (it was something more horrible 
than cries) of the dying, wounded, and drowning; 
but they were only heard at intervals, for one con- 
tinued roar seemed to fill the heavens, of the Russian 
artillery pouring its floods of deathful retribution on 
the heads of the desolators of its country. Welcome 
indeed were the deaths it sent; few were his pangs 
who fell by the ball or the sabre, compared with his 
torture who lay mangled beneath the crowing feet of 
his comrades, who expired amid the crashing horrors 
of a world of ice. But the despair of these fated 
wretches was not yet complete. The head which had 
planned all these evils might yet be amongst them: 
and the bridges, groaning beneath the weight of their 
loads, were to be fired! The deed was done; and still 
crowd upon crowd continued to press each other for- 
ward choking up the passage amid bursting flames, 
scorched and frozen at the same instant, till at length 
the whole sunk with a death-like noise into the bosom 
of the Be?erina. 



358 

This desperate expedient prevented Vigtenstein 
from immediately crossing to the other side to pursue 
those which had escaped; but having so far done his 
part, he did not doubt but that the rest would be 
achieved by his coadjutors on the opposite shore. 

It is scarcely possible to calculate accurately thg 
amount of the enemy that were lost on this dreadful 
occasion; certainly more than five thousand were 
killed, and nearly the same number drowned. Thir- 
teen thousand prisoners, with many officers of every 
rank, were taken, and sent by the Russian General 
into his rear. He also took fifteen pieces of cannon, 
and baggage of every description filled with the pil- 
lage of Moscow, and the sacking of other Russian 
cities. The booty nearly covered the space of half a 
square mile, and so closely were the carriages which 
contained it wedged together that it was impossible 
for either a horse or a man to find a way through 
them. Several colours and eagles were taken amidst 
the spoils; but the trophy which would have crowned 
all, and whose captivity would have given the world 
peace, had escaped! and the brave followers of Vig- 
tenstein looked to the army of the Danube to put the 
Troubler of the Earth into their hands. 

All this havoc could not be made on any people 
however paralyzed by terror, without some desperate 
resistance; and accordingly during these three or four 
tremendous days the French did make some show of 
opposition, but in a desultory and unmilitary manner. 



359 

Not more than two thousand men fell on the part 
of Count Vigtenstein. 

As soon as that General discovered that Buona- 
parte had crossed the Berezina, he dispatched the 
General-aid-de-camp Koutousoff towards Lepel, charg- 
ing him to pass the river there, and come down upon 
the flank of the enemy on the opposite side. Mean* 
while, he ordered a detachment under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Tettenborne to move against the Bavarians 
at Dockschitzi. These commands were punctually 
obeyed. Tettenborne reached the Bavarian rear guard, 
which he attacked and defeated, making twenty-six 
officers prisoners, with one thousand men. This suc- 
cess and the occupation of Dockschitzi, completely 
separated Wrede's corps from the fugitive army, and 
cut off from that army all hope of strengthening its 
exhausted ranks with additional troops, until it might 
reach the frontiers of Poland. Hope dared hardly rest 
upon the prospect, for those frontiers seemed now 
divided from them by a world of horrors, whose least 
terrible apparition was that of death! 



During the conflagration of the bridges, and pur- 
sued by the horrible shrieks of his deserted people 
perishing in the flames, Buonaparte speeded on his 
flight till the wind no longer brought the sounds tp 



360 

his ear. Oudinot, and the generals which were his 
companions, and the guards who yet afforded him 
protection, followed his steps into a deep wood on the 
left bank of the Bezerina, near the village Tchatchovo, 
and leading to Brilovo. Here, in its closest recesses, 
he sought a temporary covert for his fears and his 
shame. The greater mass of fugitives, the thousand 
victims of his ambition, who had desperately forced 
their way over the bridges before they were set on 
fire, having also gained the opposite shore, ran in 
crowds towards similar places of refuge^nd hid 
themselves behind the thickets and under Itte trees 
which spread every where upon the margin of this 
river. 

But these hapless wretches did not pass to their 
shelter unobserved. Night alone prevented the parties 
of Tchitchagoff from driving them back into the 
water; for, until its shadows covered them from their 
enemies, the Russian guns and musketry poured upon 
their heads, and strewed the line of their flight with 
the dead bodies of their companions. 

The next day (the 28th of November) the brave 
Admiral bore down upon the last array of the enemy. 
That any should be attempted after such countless 
defeats, and such complete destruction, seemed as 
vain as surprising; but Napoleon had one more point 
to gain, and the spectre of an army was therefore 
raised to stand between his last recreant acts and the 
eyes of his pursuers. 

During the night the poor fugitives had been col- 



361 

lected into the semblance of a force; and what artillery 
and baggage they had saved, being gathered into one 
point, they were told that if they hoped to reach the 
Polish frontiers they must exert themselves like true 
soldiers, and make themselves a way to Wilna; for 
the road by Minsk was too thickly covered by the 
enemy to allow of even an attempt. The French Ge- 
nerals might exhort and issue their commands for 
some show of order; but it was to a desperate multi- 
tude they spoke, no longer to a disciplined army; and 
no attention was paid to their orders. 

In this terrible dilemma the enemy heard once more 
the Russian guns. The forces of Tchitchagoff were 
impatient to give the final blow to their merciless ad- 
versaries; and the fire of their musketry kept time with 
the showers of balls which the artillery hurled on the 
falling ranks of the enemy. The French Generals were 
in despair: they were seen galloping to and fro, en- 
deavouring to animate by their example, or force by 
their threats, the exhausted courage of their soldiers. 
Ney rode amongst them, calling to the men who 
seemed to have the most power, to remember the 
days of their victories and glory. Mortier and Victor, 
and several others, followed him with similar excite- 
ments, but all in vain; the men were resolved and 
sullen: they would fight man to man for their own 
lives, but no more battles for the author of their mi* 
series! 

Oudinot had been more successful in his exhorttU 
tions; but in the moment of his bringing up an ilK 

2Z 



362 

assorted band of dismounted cavalry and infantry to 
oppose to a battalion of Russians who were charging 
forward in great force, he received a shot in his side, 
which placed him hors de combat, and afforded his re- 
luctant followers a good excuse to take him and them- 
selves into the rear. 

While this extraordinary and bloody scene was 
going forward, the chief of all these horrors seized 
the opportunity, and, screened by the tumult of the 
slaughter (for it was no more a conflict!) moved off 
with his chosen few towards Pletchinichou! 

Having again had the good fortune to escape the 
guns and the hands of his enemies, he set at nought 
all lives but his own, and totally abandoned every idea 
of making any attempt to save an individual, or an 
article, belonging to his once vast army. Buonaparte 
was now the sole object in Buonaparte's mind; Buo- 
naparte without faith, without honour, without cou- 
rage! In this spirit, so worthy of a tyrant, he left the 
few perishing thousands who had survived the wreck 
of his ambition, to the utmost rigors ol their fate. 

For some hours after his desertion his generals 
strove to keep up the appearance, at least, of a resis- 
tance to the triumphant career of their enemies; and 
by this valour on their side time was afforded him to 
make his flight more distant, and therefore more se- 
cure. But their utmost exertions could not continue 
very long to oppose the force of the Russian troops, 
and the enfeebled state of their own; and at last they 
found themselves compelled to take to flight, while 



363 

their wretched followers again broke into scattered 
multitudes, and fled in every direction into the fo- 
rests, along the roads, and over the distant wastes. In 
short, there was no point to which they did not direct 
their frantic steps, where they might hope to avoid 
the sabres and pikes of their enemies. 

During this carnage Tchitchagoff* had given orders 
to throw some pontoon-bridges across the Berezina, 
to accelerate the advance of Count Vigtenstein. This 
was speedily done, and the victorious Count was soon 
by the side of his brave coadjutor. By a parallel move- 
ment on the Admiral's right, his eager troops pursued 
the general object in concert with the army of the 
Danube. 

The General-aide-de-camp KoutousofF, together 
with his able colleagues, Generals Borosdin and Tet- 
tenborne, received orders to push on from the neigh- 
bourhood of Vilyky, even to beyond Wilna, to destroy 
the bridges as they passed, and if possible to intercept 
the flying Napoleon before he could reach the Niemen, 
Count Platoff*, in full hour a! with his clouds pf 
Donskoy heroes, followed the fugitives widi blood 
and slaughter along the roads leading to Molodet- 
chino and Smorgon. Tchitchagoff" 's advanced-guard^ 
under Major-General Tchaplitz, moved in the same 
direction; whilst that of the main army, under Milo- 
radovitch, brought up the train. In this disposition 
was almost the whole military strength of Russia in 
full chase of their invaders. 

Whilst this accumulation of distress and disgrace 



364 

was overwhelming the remains of the French army, 
its fugitive chief was endeavouring by every subter- 
fuge of falsehood to conceal from France and his allies 
its ruined condition. Even his own generals at Wilna 
were kept in ignorance of his complete discomfiture; 
and it was not until the dearth of intelligence from the 
grand army created in them some alarm, and the in- 
formation that Minsk was surrounded by the army 
of the Danube struck them with a conviction of dis- 
aster, that they had any suspicion of the universal de- 
feat their master had sustained. 

It is related, but I do not affirm it as a fact, that 
after twelve days of suspense, during which no infor- 
mation whatever arrived from Buonaparte, Maret dis- 
patched a young Polander, disguised as a woman, 
towards the probable position of the French. After an 
absence of five days, he at length found his way back, 
but it was by thriding a thousand mazes filled with 
the pursuing enemy; and he brought with him a true 
statement of the case. If this anecdote be true, Maret 
was too well versed in his master's will to make the 
fact public; for, about this very time he published a 
gazette at Wilna, importing that Napoleon was mov- 
ing along the banks of the Berezina at the head of the 
main body of his army, while the rest remained in 
good garrison at Smolenzk; and to complete the tale, 
it was added that the Russians were so overpowered 
in every quarter that the army of the Danube was the 
only remnant to be destroyed. When that affair was 



365 

over, the Emperor and King would then proceed in 
full glory to Wilna! 

While Maret thus attempted to veil the disasters 
of Buonaparte, he was equally active in trying to avert 
the worst consequences. With this intention he dis- 
patched General Loison (who had some time before 
arrived from Koningsberg with ten thousand men) 
towards Oschmiani, to cover the flying army. But the 
evil was too great for so small a power to stem. The 
sword of the enemy, and the " arrowy sleet" of the 
inclement nights, reduced them to less than three 
thousand men before they came within sight of their 
fugitive comrades. 

The way was long and disastrous between the banks 
of the Berezina and the Polish frontiers. There was no 
where a stand, but an unceasing chase from that river's 
brink to the passage of the Neimen. Prisoners, arms, 
standards, baggage, every where fell into the hands 
of the pursuers. Nothing can better depict the ex- 
treme abandonment of hope, and the excessive mi- 
sery of the enemy during this dreadful period, than a 
letter which one of the brave Russians, then in pur- 
suit, addressed to a relation in St. Petersburgh, 

*' Though besieged with miseries, and assailed with 
all the fury of our cannon and our bayonets, it is cer- 
tain that nearly forty thousand of our merciless in- 
vaders escaped to the nearest bank of the Berezina. 
But there, even in the moment in which they believ- 
ed themselves safe, they met their destruction; they 



366 

plunged in to gain the opposite shore, and many of 
them met the death from which they fled, in the cold 
breast of the river, in the direful flames which rolled 
along its surface. 

" They who escaped the flood and the conflagration 
were not more secure, for all nature seemed to fight 
against them. Heaven itself appeared to hurl its last 
bolt upon their sacrilegious heads, by increasing the 
cold to a degree that was almost intolerable to the 
best defended; but to those who had no covering it 
was suffering worse than the tortures of the rack. 

^' It was at this crisis, when nearly deprived of the 
power of moving, they abandoned their guns, bag- 
gage, and arms, and throwing themselves upon the 
drifting snows, called on the blast to end their mise- 
ries. Then rising in frantic despair, they ran howling 
amongst each other, exclaiming aloud against their 
betrayer, and demanding death at the hands of their 
equally distracted companions. Thousands of these 
poor wretches were nearly naked; few had either 
shoe, or boot, or pantaloon to protect their freezing 
limbs. Many had endeavoured to shield them from 
the severity of the weather, by wrapping about them 
the raw hides they had stripped from their perished 
horses. Others covered their bodies with old matting, 
canvas, women's clothes, priests' vestments, or any 
other thing that might assist in sheltering their ema- 
ciated frames from the piercing wind, and a frost that 
seemed to cut into their souls. Happy was he who 
had been so lucky as to have purloined from the plun* 



367 

dered countryman his winter sheep-skin, or saved a 
pelisse from the general pillage! Officers and men 
shared in the same want of covering. The wretched 
fragments which decency would still wrap around 
them were tattered into a hundred shreds; but from 
the inclemencies of the iron season there was no shel- 
ter. Thousands became benumbed and stupified; many 
dropped in silence into the grasp of death; others 
moved on their gradually freezing bodies, moaning 
their pangs, and cursing the name of him and all his 
race who had brought them into such depths of un- 
imaginable human suffering. 

*' Every corps, and every rank of officers, partook 
of the general distress. The guards, once the proud 
favourites of their proudest chief, were alike the sport 
of the angry elements, were alike exposed to naked- 
ness and privation. Their gay caparisons were chang- 
cd into loathsome rags; and, a prey to every evil of 
squalid wretchedness, to hunger and to cold, they 
dropped down dead in heaps, groaning out the re- 
proaches their tongues were too feeble to utter. 

** Defence was now totally out of the question. Flight, 
not escape, was their object; for none possessed with- 
in himself sufficient strength to promise him an exis- 
tence of many hours. It was not life they sought, but 
relief from the agonies of fear. An undefinable terror 
hung on the soul of the famished wretch who, stretch- 
ed on the chilling snow, called fervently on death to 
release him from his misery. Even in this state, let 
but the simple cry of the Cossacs! be sounded in bis 



368 

ear, and it would be sufficient to arouse him to teiru 
porary energy: a thousand would partake his dread; 
and suddenly spreading themselves in flight, they 
would every where darken the snows with their flying 
shadows, and fill the air with their despairing shrieks. 
In this state, some thousands would be made prison- 
ers to a band of perhaps no more than a hundred 
Cossacs. 

" The road on which this ruined army moved was 
rough with their dead, who, heaped on each other, 
shewed through the uneven surface of the snow their 
grisly and disfigured visages, their perishing and dis- 
membered bodies, and all the horrid variety of death 
inflicted by want, and pain, and the sword. 

*' Every bivouac^ at the dawning of morning, re- 
sembles rather the consequences of a sanguinary con- 
flict than a night's rest. Cold and fatigue benumbed 
many into their last repose; but scarcely did the hand 
of death close their eyes before they became a spoil; 
nay, even whilst they yet breathed, their comrades 
would seize on their expiring bodies, and strip them 
of their ragged coverings to defend themselves. Vast 
are the circles of the perished they leave behind them 
in these dismal night watches; and when they proceed 
in the morning, there is nothing before them but a 
similar fate. Desperate with cold they set every house 
and barn on fire in their way, in order to alleviate 
with the heat the pangs which rack their joints. But 
the expedient is fraught with new sufferings. Hun- 
dreds hasten to the blazing scene to enjoy a few mo- 



369 

merits' warmth; but not having strength to retire with 
sufficient speed from the influence of the flames when 
they become outrageous, they fall a prey to their fury^ 
and the ruins of the burning houses are surrounded 
with the expiring remains of their helpless consumers. 
Many of those who escape immediate destruction 
from the fire, scarred by its flames, blackened in part 
by the smoke, and pale as the snow itself, range them- 
selves like a host of ghastly spectres upon the lifeless 
bodies of their countrymen, and there remain in mo- 
tionless apathy till the benumbing hand of death steals 
by degrees upon their vitals, and they fall amid the 
icy and scorched corses of their comrades. 

*' Numbers having their feet frozen and half mor- 
tified, were reduced to a state of complete helpless- 
ness, and being left upon the road, were forced to 
abandon themselves to the death they might other- 
wise have averted for yet some days. In those days, 
now so cruelly cut off" from their chance of prolonged 
existence, some succour might arrive! The idea alone 
seemed to speak a hope, of which they were irresisti- 
bly deprived; and their despair broke out in cries of 
the bitterest anguish; it was a lamentation of rifled 
existence, that paralyzed the hearer, and made him 
behold the unfathomable depth of the perdition into 
which the falsehood of the French leader had plunged 
his too confident followers. 

*' Multitudes of these desolate fugitives lost their 
speech, others were seized with phrenzy, and many 
were so maddened by the extremes of pain and hun- 

3 A 



370 

ger, that they tore the dead bodies of their comrades 
into pieces, and feasted upon their remains. 

" But I will not attempt a further enumeration of 
the varieties of human miseries I have seen. Only 
those who have witnessed such extremes of distress, 
can form any idea of the horrors I have left yet un- 
told of the hideous spectacle exhibited between the 
Berezina and the Neimen, and whose parallel for 
miseries is not to be found in the annals of the world." 



To be nearer the goal of his glorious race, in this 
c-areer after the most ruthless enemy that ever invaded 
a brave people, Field-Marshal Koutousoff removed 
his head-quarters from Ravenitzi to Kovossino, He 
-made the movement on the 4th of December. 

Tchitchagoff continued in full pursuit, Milorado- 
vitch the same, and the main army followed with an- 
swerable zeal the steps of its advance. The division 
under Count Ogerofsky, having proceeded in a pa- 
rallel direction with its left wing, arrived in full force 
at the town of Volshine. 

Meanwhile, Buonaparte continued his flight; and 
at Smorgoni, finding a favourable moment present 
itself for his complete disappearance, he appointed 
Murat his lieutenant-general and commander-in-chief 
of the army; and then putting on a disguise, stole 



371 

with Caulincourt into a wretched sledge, and proceeded 
over the snows as swiftly as his fears could carry him 
towards Warsaw. On the 7th he passed through 
Wilna with hardly a minute's delay; and on the even- 
ing of the 10th, sheltered his head in safety in the 
Polish capital! The final escape of Napoleon was 
known to a very few only, for some time after it was 
effected; but as he shot through Wilna he found it 
expedient to see Maret. The conference did not last 
many minutes, and then he departed with as much 
secrecy and haste as if a pursuer were in every gale. 
Thus did this presumptuous man, whom an infatuat- 
ed people had raised to be their tyrant, and who, not 
content with the sovereignty of half Europe, aspireid 
to universal dominion; thus did he pass from Russia, 
the last object of his ambition, in obscurity and dis- 
honour; and thus did he desert, in their extremest 
need, the people whom he called his subjects, and 
who had confided to him their liberties and their lives! 
Unfair and cruel as the French army were in their 
modes of warfare with the people of Russia, it is but 
justice to say that in no instance, till they were para- 
lyzed by suffering, did the meanest individual in the 
French ranks shrink from meeting the foe; and in 
every situation of peril, and desertion of their leader., 
did his generals conduct themselves with the steady 
valour of true soldiers. Buonaparte alone proved him- 
self a slave in spirit. Had he possessed a soul worthy 
the confidence reposed in him, on the bridge of Be- _ 
rezina he would have died. 



372 

Platoff, Tchaplitz, and the other Russian generals, 
with their advanced corps, proceeded with great speed, 
gathering thousands of prisoners, cannon, baggage, 
and ammunition waggons, in their path. Large con- 
voys of the latter, with provisions, had been dis- 
patched from Wilna to meet the retreating French, 
and hence augmented the spoil of the Russians. 

When Piatoff entered Oschiamani, he fell in with 
the remaining three thousand of Loison's corps, which 
he instantly cut in pieces, and took from them twen- 
ty-live pieces of cannon. Near Smo.goni, Tchaplitz 
came up with the small pretension to a rear- guard 
which the enemy had made; he slew them to a man, 
and sixty-one pieces of cannon fell into his hands. 
Finding the road quite open, he next pushed on to 
Wilna, and arrived at its environs on the 10th. He 
had the satisfaction of meeting at the same rendez- 
vous large bodies of his brave countrymen, who had 
already reached it, under the commands of Sesslavin, 
Lanskoy, and other Generals who were fresh from a 
new victory gained over a corps of French cavalry 
which had presented itself before the town. Six guns 
and one standard had been taken in this affair; but the 
victors did not think themselves in sufficient force 
to follow up their advantage by pushing on to the 
city, until they could be supported by Tchitchagoff's 
troops. 

As soon as Tchaplitz came upon the ground he 
attacked the enemy in the suburbs, and, after some 
slight resistance drove them out in disorder, and 



373 

filled their quarters with his own battalions. This 
stroke was decisive, for on entering the city next 
morning (the 11th) he found the last ranks of the 
enemy in the act of abandonmg it. They had taken 
their measures in such haste and confusion, that no- 
thing had been destroyed. Vast magazines, filled with 
all kinds of stores, and upwards of thirty pieces of 
cannon, became the property of the Russians. The 
French sick too, in great numbers, were left to the 
mercy of their enemies. 

After the affair at Oschimiani, Platoff directed his 
rapid course to the left of Wilna, towards the Kovna 
road, spreading his Cossacs all over the country to 
the shore of the Neimen. The General-aide-de-camp 
Koutousoff adopted the same plan on the right of the 
eity, stretching his people in the direction of Wilko- 
mir, to prevent the escape of Macdonald's corps. 

Meanwhile, the Admiral kept up close to his ad- 
vance-guard, and at the distance of a few wersts from 
Wilna made the following report, dated November 
29th, O. S. (Dec. 11th, N. S.) 

" Ever since the 17th of November, (O. S.) I have 
with unceasing vigilance pursued the flying enemy,, 
allowing him repose neither day nor night. During 
the first day or two our pursuit was a little checked 
by his having broken down the bridges, but the exer- 
tion of a few hours restored us a passage, and by 
forced marches we soon gained upon our object. The 
advanced guard did not lose sight of him for an in- 



374 

stant; coming up and defeating him continually in a 
variety of encounters; daily taking from him numbers 
of cannon, and making prisoners to the amount of 
some thousands, besides forcing his harassed troops 
to march during the night. 

" From the passage of the Berezina, until the arrival 
of the Imperial troops at Wilna, we have ourselves 
taken one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, more 
than seven hundred ammunition waggons, and so con- 
siderable a quantity of baggage, that the whole road for 
a great distance is covered with it. Two standards, 
with several generals, and many thousand prisoners, 
are also in our hands. 

" The rear- guard of the enemy was attacked and 
destroyed, and the effects have been so serious to him, 
that ever since the utmost confusion and murmuring 
has prevailed amongst his troops. They drop hourly 
from famine and fatigue, or in despair cry aloud to 
surrender. 

" The loss to the enemy is not less than thirty 
thousand men. The road is covered with killed and 
wounded, frozen and dying. The divine vengeance 
falls so heavily on these barbarous wretches, that they 
become victims in hundreds to the flames themselves 
have lighted to destroy the dwellings of the peasantry; 
and they are found frozen to death in the very houses 
they have sacked and despoiled of their doors and 
windows. 

" Our advance on entering Wilna did not allow the 
enemy time to remove any thing from the city. Inde- 



375 

pendent of all that has been mentioned before of our 
spoil, great acquisitions were made there in cannon 
and stores. Amongst' the sick and wounded who had 
been abandoned, were found several generals: Saion- 
tschiki and Lefebre are of the number. 

" My advanced guard pursued the enemy without 
ceasing. General Tchaplitz has particularly distin- 
guished himself, as much by vigilance and indefati- 
gable zeal, as by his excellent military arrangements. 

" An aide-de-camp of Marshal Davoust's was taken 
at Oschimiani, having been left by the Marshal to 
await the arrival of his rear- guard, and to ascertain 
the number of troops in pursuit. But the rear-guard 
having been destroyed, this young officer was sur- 
prised by seeing, instead of it, the Russian advance 
enter the town. He was in amazement, and could not 
conceive what was become of the troops he had ex- 
pected. 

" The prisoners assure me that Napoleon can no 
longer conceal the critical state of his situation; that 
the remains of the army, harassed with fatigue and 
starvation, do not merely murmur, but loudly threaten 
even to revenge themselves on the author of all these 
miseries. During the latter days of the pursuit, we 
have taken many of his guards. Indeed we are so 
near, that I have often occupied the same quarters 
which he had quitted but a few hours before. Several 
times he has not been farther from us than the inter- 
val which divided the cannonades between the respec- 
tive rear and vanguards." 



376 

The admiral followed Tchaplitz with his main 
body, and next day the head quarters of KoutousofF 
were established at Wilna. On the 8th they had been 
at Molodetchino, on the 9th at Smorgoni, on the 10th 
at Oschimiani, and on the 12th at Wilna. 

No sooner were the troops of his Imperial Majesty 
entered into the city, than they were hailed by the 
most rapturous acclamations. Long live the Emperor 
Alexander! resounded from every quarter; and the 
inhabitants, with the eloquence of nature, expressed 
their joy at being restored to the mild government of 
a just and beneficent prince. 

Two days after his arrival at Wilna, the field-mar- 
shal made the following statement to the Emperor 
Alexander. 

"Dec. 2d, O. S. 

14th, N. S. 1812, 

" On the occupation of Wilna by our troops on 
the 10th of December (N. S.) the enemy fled towards 
Pogoulianka; and Count Platoff", in order to cut off his 
retreat upon the Kovna road, entirely occupied that 
road w^ith Cossacs, hussars, and dragoons. Having 
allowed the first mass of fugitives to pass, he ordered 
Count OrloflT-DenizolF to open a fire ol musketry 
upon them; while he, with a strong force, fell upon 
another multitude. He was seconded in this attack by 
the artillery under Prince Khoudescheff. The enemy 
being thus assaulted on all sides, nay, absolutely sur- 
rounded by heavy discharges of artillery and muske- 



377 

try, fell in masses: Indeed the destruction was so 
complete, that only thirty officers, and one thousand 
men, were saved from the universal carnage. In this 
affair, twenty-eight cannon, and a quantity of bag- 
gage, fell into the hands of the Cossac chief. 

" Ever since the occupation of Wilna by your Im- 
perial Majesty's troops, I have been employed in 
restoring all things to their ancient order; hence 1 
have not had time to collect a particular statement of 
the stores found in the city. However, the quarter- 
master-general, Stavrakoff, and General Besrodny, 
say that in some of the magazines which have been 
inspected they have found fourteen thousand mea- 
sures of corn, five thousand measures of flour, besides 
an equal number of biscuit; an immense quantity of 
uniforms, muskets, cartouche- boxes, saddles, cloaks, 
helmets, and other military necessaries. 

" Seven generals were made prisoners in the town, 
namely, Vivier, Goasse, Normond, Guliot, Lefebre, 
Ivonousky, and Saiontschiki; with two hundred and 
twenty. five officers, and nine thousand five hundred 
and seventeen soldiers! five thousand one hundred 
and thirty-nine sick, were found in the hospitals. 

" We are hourly collecting prisoners from the en- 
virons of the city. As reports are made to me, I will 
not fail communicating them to your Imperial Ma- 
jesty." 

The enemy had not neglected to raise contribu- 
tions on the people of Wilna, according to his usual 

3B 



378 

custom in the places he honoured with his presence; 
but as that city was the great link of communication 
between his resources and his armies in the interior 
of Russia, it became the policy of the French leader 
to order the inhabitants to be treated with a lenity in 
pecuniary respects that might sooth them into his 
interests. He also managed to hold them in awe of 
his colossal power, by a constant concealment of the 
tremendous reverses it sustained in the series of his 
invasion. Consequently when the truth did burst 
upon these deceived people, by the sudden entrance 
of the Russian army, the effect was as striking as it 
was fraught with safety and happiness to them all. 

The change was so great, that it seemed hardly 
the work of human agency. Only a few months prior 
to his shameful flight through this city, Napoleon had 
occupied its palace, with an imperial and military 
pomp never before equalled by the proudest legiti- 
mate sovereign. Like Xerxes he beheld his hundred 
thousands pass in review before him; but not like 
Xerxes did he shed any tears at the procession of a 
host, so few of which were fated to return. An ambi- 
tion, even more fierce than that of the Persian mo- 
narch, had dried up the sources of pity in Napoleon's 
heart; rivers of blood had long washed away the purer 
drops from his relentless eyes. The obdurate to others 
are generally the most weakly sensible to their own 
sufferings; and it is hardly to be doubted, that he who 
had viewed the horrors of Moscow and the Berezina 
without compassion would, when lying a disguised 



379 

fugitive at the bottom of a wretched sledge, find it 
possible to weep over the disappointments of his own 
pride. 

In that moment, while hurried with fear and dis- 
honour across the Russian snows, how vain must he 
have found the boastings of his fancied omnipotence! 
Where were his promises to restore Poland to her 
independence? Where the universal empire he was 
to found on the ruin of that of the Tzars? What was 
become of the loud thunders of his artillery with 
which he was to proclaim his conquest and his domi- 
nion, from the shores of the Baltic to the boundaries 
of Asia? And where those myriads of his own sub- 
jects, whom he had brought armed at all points into 
Russia, to subdue the people, and to cover them- 
selves with spoils and military glory? 

The whole had disappeared. The same all-power- 
ful hand, which had baffled the ambitious enterprizes 
of the Persian monarch, turned the plans and the vast 
preparations of the French Ruler into nothing! His 
presumptuous dreams, and his thousands of armed 
men, were alike as if they had never been. 

Out of more than four hundred thousand men (in- 
cluding the Austrian force) not more than twenty- five 
thousand, exclusive of Swartzenburg's corps, repassed 
the Neimen. Out of one hundred thousand horses, 
scarcely one survived. More than one hundred thou- 
sand prisoners fell into the hands of the Russians, 
from the day in which the French army quitted Mos- 
cow, until its arrival at the Neimen; and above twelve 



380 

hundred pieces of cannon; for not one single gun was 
carried by the fugitives across the barrier stream. 
Thus did the very instruments, with which the In- 
vader intended to proclaim his victory, become the 
trophies of Russia in witness of having discomfited 
its enemy, and covered its menaced land with the 
deathless laurels of patriotic valour. 

Such was the termination of this unparalleled at- 
tempt against the dignity of one of the most virtuous 
monarchs that ever swayed a sceptre; and in subver- 
sion of the happiness of a people, who loved his equi- 
table rule, and every day increased in political wis- 
dom and moral vigour. Russia, aware of her privileged 
destiny, with one unanimous exertion, freed herself 
from the inroad of the Usurper and his emissaries, 
and exulted in the contrast between her own mag- 
nanimous Emperor, and the selfish aggrandisement 
of his opponent. She stood as Hercules, with Virtue 
on the one side and Seduction on the other: behind 
the former, whose stern visage was armed in complete 
steel, devolved rocks, and ghastly precipices; but be- 
yond was the paradise of the gods. Around the latter 
bloomed a labyrinth of verdure; but at the close of 
each enchanted thicket, yawned a treacherous gulph 
overgrown with sweets, that betrayed the trusting 
feet to bottomless perdition! The Russian people, and 
the Russian Monarch, spurned the blandishments of 
the Deceiver, and destroyed with the vigour of true 
bravery his most formidable warfare. The Imperial 



381 

Alexander, not satisfied with having achieved the 
independence of his own nation, generously sounds 
the trumpet of liberty to the rest of Europe, and at 
the close of this eventful year, so propitious in its 
omen to mankind, and so glorious to Imperial virtue 
and to patriotic determination! he thus addresses his 
invincible defenders; and by that channel he would 
stimulate the world. 

"SOLDIERS! 

*' That year is gone! That memorable and glorious 
year, in which you have levelled with the dust, the 
pride of our insolent Invader! That year is gone; but 
your heroic deeds remain. Time cannot efface their 
remembrance: they are present with ourselves — they 
will live in the memory of posterity. 

" The deliverance of your country from a host of 
confederate powers, leagued against her very exis- 
tence, has been purchased by your blood. You have 
acquired a right to the gratitude of Russia, and to the 
veneration of foreign realms. You have proved to 
mankind by your fidelity, your valour, and your per- 
severance, that against hearts filled with love to God, 
and loyalty to their Sovereign, the efforts of the most 
formidable enemy are but as the furious waves of the 
sea breaking upon an immovable rock: after all the 
tumults, they leave but the confused sound of their 
own overthrow. 

Soldiers! Eager to distinguish by some peculiar 
mark, all who have participated in these immortd 



382 

exploits, we have caused silver medals to be struck, 
and to receive the benediction of our Holy Church. 
They bear the date of the memorable year 1812! 
Suspended to a blue ribbon they will decorate those 
manly breasts which have been the bucklers of their 
country. Each individual of the Russian army is 
worthy to wear these honourable testimonies, the 
reward of valour and of constancy. 

" You have all shared the same hardships and the 
same dangers. You have all had but one soul. This 
ennobling conviction should make you proud of these 
equal military honours. They will every where pro- 
claim you — faithful sons of Russia! Sons, upon whom 
God the Father bestows his paternal blessing. 

" May our enemies ever tremble, when they be- 
hold this insignia! May they know that beneath this 
medal glows an imperishable valour! Imperishable, 
because it is not founded upon ambition or impiety, 
but on the immutable bases of patriotism and religion! 

(Signed) "Alexander." 

" 1813." 



NOTES 



ILLUSTRATIVE OF SUBJECTS REFERRED TO IN THE BODY 
OF THE WORK. 



NOTE I. II. III. [For page 41.'] 

X HESE three patriots distinguished themselves at the begin- 
ning of the seventeenth century, after the death of Demetrius; 
when the Poles on the one side, and the Cossac Zaroutzki on 
the other, were contending for the supreme power, and rendering 
the empire a field of blood. 

Kozma-Minim, butcher of Nijhi-Novgorode, formed the bold 
design of collecting a body of patriots to oppose the factions of 
Sigismond and Zaroutzki. He assembled his fellow citizens, ex- 
horting them to sacrifice their whole possessions for the salvation 
of their country; to sell all that belonged to them, for the sake of 
obtaining funds with which to support an army. His virtuous 
enthusiasm passed into the souls of all that heard him. The 
citizens of Nijhi-Novgorode did indeed strip themselves of 
every worldly possession; but these sacrifices were found in- 
adequate for their great purpose. 

It was then that Palitzen, a monk eminent for his piety, 
called together the holy brotherhood of his monastery, and with 
the most affecting eloquence conjured them to embrace real 
poverty, by voluntarily bestowing the treasures of their com- 
munity upon the new levies. The proposal was unanimously 
agreed to, and the money was deposited in the hands of Kozma- 
Minim. 



384 NOTES. 

Regarding this act as a testimony of the Divine favour, 
Minim hastened to Pojarskoi, a Russian nobleman whose valour 
had been honourably proved in many a victorious field, but who, 
now incapable of breasting singly the torrent that was overwhelm* 
ing his country, had retired in despair to a small estate at some 
distance from Nijhi-Novgorode. 

When Pojarskoi was urged by Minim to arise from this 
unworthy despondency, and instead of deploring his country's 
wrongs, arm in her defence, the brave veteran called on Heaven 
to witness that he was ready to perish for Russia, had he but the 
remotest px'ospect of heading even a handful of patriots animated 
with the same spirit. 

Minim then hailed him General of the brave band of Aijhi- 
JVovgorode.' and laid at his feet the treasure entrusted to him by 
Palitzen. Pojarskoi received both with transport, and returning 
the treasure to Minim, beseeching him to take charge of its 
right distribution, he accepted a command which finally restored 
independence to the empire. 



NOTE 11,— [For Page 1 17.J 
BUONAPARTE'S THIRTEENTH BULLETIN. 

Smolenzk, Aug. 3 1 . 

Le 16 au matin, les hauteurs de Smolenzk fureht couronneesj 
la ville presenta a nos yeux une ceinte de murailles de quatre 
mille toises de tour, epaisses de dix pieds et hautes de 25, 
entremelees de tours, dont plusieurs etoient armees de canons 
de gros calibre. 

Sur la di"oite du Borysthene, on apercevoit et Ton savoit que 
les corps ennemis tournees revenoient en grand hate sur leurs 
pas pour defendre Smolenzk. On savait que les generaux enne- 
mis avoient des ordres reiter6s de leur maitre de livrer bataille 
et de sauver Smolenzk. L'Empereur reconnut la ville et pla§a 
son armee, qui fut en position dans la journee du 17^ Lf 



NOTES. 385 

Marechal Due d'Elchingen eut la guache appuyant au Bo- 
rysthene, le Mar6chal Prince d'Eckmuhi le centre, le Prince 
Poniatofsky la droite; la garde fut mise en reserve au centre; le 
Vice-Roi en reserve a la droite, et la cavalerie sous les ordres 
du Roi de Naples a rextreme droite; le Due d'Abrantes, avec le 
fie corps, s'etoit egare et avoit fait un faux mouvement. Le 16, 
ct pendant la moitie de la journee du 17, on resta en observa- 
tion. La fusillade se soutint sur la ligne. L'Ennemi occupait 
Smolenzk avec 30,000 hommes, et le reste de son armee se 
formait sur les belles hauteurs de la rive droite du fleuve, 
vis-a-vis la ville, communiquant par trois ponts. Smolepzk est 
consideree par les Russes comme ville forte et comme le boule- 
vard de Moscovir. 

Le 17 a deux heures apres midi, voyant que I'ennemi n'avoit 
pas debouche, qu'il se fortifiait dans Smolenzk et qu'ii refusait la 
bataille; que malgre les ordres qu'il avait, et la belle position 
qu'il pouvait prendre, sa droite a Smolenzk, et sa gauche au 
cours du Borysthene, le general ennemi manquait de resolution, 
I'Empereur se parta sur la droiie, et ordonna au Prince Po- 
niatofsky de faire un changement de front, la droit en avant ei de 
placer sa droite au Borysthene, en occupant un des fauxbourgs 
par des postes et des batteries pour detruire la pont et intercep- 
ter la communication de la ville avec la rive droite. Pendant ce 
temps, le Marechal Prince d'Eckmuhi eut ordre de faire at- 
taquer deux fauxbourgs que I'ennemi avait retrenches a 200 
toises de la place, et qui etaient d^fendus chacun par 7 ou 8000 
horames d'infanterie et par du gros cannons. Le General Comte 
Friant eut ordre d'achever I'investissement, en appuyant sa 
droite au corps du Prince Poniatofsky, et sa gauche a la droite 
de I'attaque que faisait le Prince d'Eckmuhi. A deux heurs 
apres midi, la division de cavalerie du Comte Bruyeres ayant, 
chasse les Cossaques et la cavalerie ennemis, occupa le plateau 
qui se rapprochait le plus du pont en amont. Une batterie de 60 
pieces d'artilleree fut etablie sur ce plateau, et tira a metraille 
sur la partee de I'armee ennemie restee sur la rive droite de la, 
riviere ce -qui obligea bientot les masses d'infanterie Russe i. 
evacuer cette position. 

3(: 



386 NOTES. 

L'Ennemi plaga alors deux batteries de 20 pieces de canon 
dans un convent, pour faire taire la batterie qui tirait sur le 
pont. Le Prince d'Eckmuhl confia I'attaque des fauxbourgs de 
la droite au Comte Morand, et celle de la gauche au Comte 
Gudin. 

A trois heurs la cannonade commen§a. A quatre heures, il 
s'ouvrit un feu de mousqueterie tres-vif, et a cinq, les divisions 
de Morand et Gudin enleverent les fauxbourgs retrenches de 
I'ennemi avec une intrepidite et un sang froid rares, et lis 
le poursuivirent jusqu'au chemin convert qui etait jonche de 
cadavres Russes. Sur notre gauche, le Due d'Elchingen attaqua 
la position que I'ennemi occupait au dehors de la ville, s'en 
empora et la poursuint jusque sur le glacis. 

A cinq heures la communication de la ville avec la rive droite 
devint difficile, et ne put avoir lieu que pour des individus isoles. 

Trois batteries de pieces de 12, de breche, furent placees 
contre les murailles, a six heures du soir, I'une par la division 
Friant, et les deux autres par les divisions Morand et Gudin.- 
On deposta I'ennemi des tours qu'il occupait par des obus qui y 
mirent le feu. Le General d'artillerie Comte Sorbier, rendit im- 
practicable a I'ennemi I'occupation de ses chemins converts, par 
des batteries d'enfilades. 

Cependant, des deux heures apres midi, le general ennemi 
aussitot qu'il s'apercut qu'on avait des projets serieux sur la 
ville, fit passer deux divisions et deux regiments d'infanterie 
de la garde pour renforcer les quatre divisions qui etaient dans 
la ville. Ces forces reunies composaient la moitie de I'armee 
Russe. Le combat continua toute la nuit: les trois batteries 
de breche tirerent avec la plus grande activite. Deux com- 
pagnies de mineurs furent attachees aux remparts. 

CependaTit la ville etait en feu. Au milieu d'une telle nuit 
d'Aout Smolenzk offrait aux Francois le spectacle qu' off're aux 
habitants de Naples une eruption de Vesuve. 

A une heure apres rninuit, I'ennemi abandonna la ville et 
repassa la riviere. A deux heures, les premiers granadiers qui 
monte^'ent a I'assaut ne trouverent plus de resistance; la place 
etait evacuee; 20(j pieces de canon et mortiers de gros calibre, 



NOTES. 387 

et une des plus belles villes de la Russia etaient en notre pouvoir, 
et cela a la vue de toute I'armee ennemie. 

Le combat de Smolenzk qu'on peut a juste litre appeler 
bataille, puisque 100,000 hommes ont ete engages de part et 
d'autre, coute aux Russes la perte de 4,700 hommes restes sur 
le champ de bataille, de 2,000 prisonniers, la plupart blesses, et 
le 7 a 8,000 blesses. Parmi les morts se trouvent 5 generaux 
Russes. Notre parte se monte a 700 morts et a 3,100 ou 3,200 
blesses. Le General de brigade Grabouski a ete tue; les Generaux 
de brigade Graudeau et Dalton ont ete blesses, toutes les troupes 
ont rivalise d'intrepidite. Le champ de battaille a offert aux yeux 
de 200,000 personnes qui peuvent I'attester, le spectacle d'un 
cadavre Frangais sur sept ou huit cadavres Russes. Cependant 
les Russes ont ete, pendant une partie des journees de 16 et du 
17 retranches et proteges par la fusillade de leurs creneaux. 

Le 18, ou a retablie les ponts sur le Borysthene, que I'ennemi 
avait brules; on n'est parvenu a mastriser le feu qui consumait 
la ville que dans la journee de 19, les sapeurs Fran9ois ayant 
travaille avec activite. Les maisons de la ville sont remplies de 
Russes morts et mourants. 

Sur douze divisions qui composoient la grande armee Russe, 
deux divisions ont ete, entam^es et defaites aux combats d'Or.^ 
trovna, deux I'ont ete au combat de Mohiloff, et six au combat 
de Smolenzk. Ney a que deux divisions et la garde qui sont 
restees entieres. 

Les traits de courage qui honorent I'armee et qui ont dis- 
tingue tant de soldats au combat de Smolenzk, seront I'object 
d'un rapport particulier jamais I'armee Frangais n'a montre plus 
d'intrepidite que dans cette campaigner 



To prevent misapprehending who may be meant under these 
titles of Prince, Duke, 8cc. a catalogue of the French Generals* 
names and their titles is subjoined. 

FRENCH MARSHALS, GENERALS, &C. AND THEIR TITLES^ 

Joachim Murat - King of Naples. 

Marshal Junot - - Duke of Abrantes. 



388 NOTES. 

Marshal Victor 
Marshal Augereau ^ 

Marshal Lefevre 
Marshal Davoust 
Marshal Ney - 

Bessieies 

Beauharnois 

Caulincourt - 

Maret - = = 

Marshal Champagny 

Duroc (dead) 
Marshal Mortier 
Marshal Macdonald 
Marshal Oudinot » 

Jerome Buonaparte 
Marshal Bcrthier (dead) 
Marshal Massena 
Marshal Soult . . - 

Marshal Kellermail 
Marshal Marmont 
General Sebastiani 
General Loison 

Rapp 



Duke of Belluno. 
Duke of Castiglione= 
Duke of Dantzig. 
Prince of EckmuhL 
Duke of Elchingen. 
Duke of Istria. 
Vice-Roi of Italy. 
Duke of Vinzenza. 

Duke of Bassano. 

Duke of Cadore. 

Duke of Friuli. 

Duke of Treviso. 

Duke of Tarente. 

Duke of Reggie. 

King of Westphalia. 

Prince of Neufchatel. 

Prince of Essling. 

Duke of Dalmatia. 

Duke of Valmy. 

Duke of Ragusa. 

Count of the Empire. 

Count of the li.mpire. 

Count of the Empire. 



NOTE III— [i^or Page 208,9.] 



As there are people in the habit of expressing doubts of the 
accuracy of the information which has hitherto represented the 
cruelties exercised by Buonaparte and his soldiers on countries 
and individuals in their power, it is a satisfaction to corroborate 
the truth of such representations, by drawing together several 
■witnesses bearing evidence of the same kind of acts committed 
by the same man and his followers in different parts of the 
world. His soldiers perpetrated acts of atrocity while in Russia, 
too horrible for descrifitiorii and in the following letter, written 



NOTES. S89 

by a distinguished British naval officer, and lately published in 
one of our own Gazettes, we find that the same spirit, and by the 
same agents, has been outraging human nature in a similarly 
■unmentionable manner in Spain. 

Hia Majesty's Ship. Surveillante, off Castro, 
25th June, 1813. 
MY LORD, 

I have the satisfaction of acquainting your Lordship, that the 
supplies of the garrison of Castro having been cut off by His 
Majesty's cruizers on this coast, and the total want of meat, 
obliged the Commanding Officer to evacuate the Castle on 
the 22d instant, and retire to Santona. The Sparrow heaving 
in sight at the same moment obliged the Commandant to do this 
so precipitately as to prevent his destroying his artillery, and 
powder, or doing any mischief to the Castle itself. 

Captain Taylor very properly immediately garrisoned the 
Castle, and this day we have had a party of the army under 
General Mendezabel. I am sorry to say five-sixths of the town 
are in ruins, and that the dreadful barbarities committed by the 
French-Italian troops, as detailed by the few surviving old 
women, are too shocking to be made the subject of a fiublic letter; 
nor was the carnage of the French confined to the evening of the 
place being carried by storm. The inhabitants who fled are now 
returning, but misery and poverty with them are at their summit. 
Fourteen of the savage authors of these excesses were taken at 
Bilboa since the evacuation, and deservedly put to death. I have 
now the pleasure of saying that the whole line of coast from 
Guaturia to Santona is evacuated by the enemy. 
I have the honour to be, See. 

(Signed) George R. Collier. 

To Admiral Lord Keith, ^c, 

[Vide Gazette, 3d July.] 



39d NOTES. 



NOTE IV.-^lFor Page 219.| 

In the letters below of Buonaparte, (which Colonel Benken- 
dorfF intercepted by taking the courier who conveyed them) 
may be found a pretty accurate epitome of the Great Mipoleon'e 
sharacter, and drawn by his own hand. 

Intercepted letter from the Emperor Napoleon to (Maret) 
Duke of Bassano, Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated Moscow, 
October 16th, N.S. 1812. 

" Monsieur! Duke of Bassano! 

" I have two Prussian regiments here, which have gallantly 
distinguished themselves in the advanced-guard of the army, and 
of course they have suffered in the same proportion. Might not 
the King of Prussia raise two new regiments? And then the re- 
giments, of which I first spoke, might go back to Prussia and be 
recruited. In every way the king will gain by this arrangement, 
as there will be a necessity for him to remount the regiments 
immediately, and by that means he will increase his number of 
disciplined squadrons that have acquired the habit of war. 

" I have given a fit direction to the Prussian contingent, by 
sending it towards Riga; but I am very unwilling to have my 
seventh division employed in that quarter. 1 have therefore to 
require of the King of Prussia an augmentation of his contingent, 
by a thousand horse and six thousand foot, for the service against 
Riga; so that the force assembled there may be equivalent to my 
seventh division. The king m^ay easily draw these troops from 
Koningsberg, Colberg, and Graudenz, and by that means they 
may arrive in a few days. They may be replaced by others 
drawn from a distance. Thus the King of Prussia will have, in 
line four thousand horse and twenty thousand foot. It cannot be 
difficult for you to make him comprehend, that his own interest 
sl^ould urge him to activity in this business; because the sooner 



NOTES. 39X 

this great struggle is over, the sooner will he be relieved from 
the necessary anxiety and exactions attending its continuance. 

" It is also good policy to show Russia, that in consequence of 
the great military resources we possess, not only in our states, 
but in those of our allies, his hope of wasting away our army by 
degrees is unfounded and illusory. 

" You will use the same arguments to Austria, to Bavaria, to 
Stutgardt; indeed, they will do every where. I desire them not 
only to send their reinforcements, but I charge them to exaggerate 
the numbers of troops they send; let double the number be given 
out. 

" I suppose you understand that the Prussian corps at Memel 
are not to be reckoned amongst the reinforcements. 

" I pray God to have you in his holy keeping. 

(Signed) " Napoleon.'^ 



Buonaparte has not a greater enemy than a comparison of 
dates. They unmask his falsehood as soon as brought together. 
By comparing the twenty-ninth bulletin with the following inter- 
cepted letter, it will be seen how much is to be believed of his 
public account of the twenty thousand horses, for remounting his 
dragoons, collected by General Bourcier from the different 
depots early in December; and also something will be seen 
illustrative of the credit to be given to his assurance, in the 
same bulletin, that the artillery had repaired its losses. 

« TO THE DUKE OF BASSANO. 

« Smolenzk, JVov. 1 Ith, N. S. 1812- 

" Four despatches have arrived at the same time, so that 
I have all your letters up to the 7th. 

" I am quite satisfied with what you have done, in bringing 
the thirty-fourth division to Kovna; the only thing necessary now 
is, that it should be well supplied. General Loison tells me that 
he has made a purchase of six hundred horses for his artillery, 
and that the same dealer proposed bargaining with him for ten 



392 NOTES. 

thousand mare. Transmit this proposition to General Bourcier, 
in order that he may conclude the bargain if he finds the horses 
fit for the purpose. Tell General Bourcier that it is absolutely 
indispensable, that he must augment his command with six 
thousand horse-artillery and six thousand cavalry completely 
equipped, besides an equal number of draught horses. We are 
daily sustaining considerable loss by the frost and the extreme 
severity of the nights. It is useless for me to press upon you the 
importance of these purchases. General Bourcier ought to go as 
far as thirty thousand, and perhaps beyond that number. In short, 
he must only be limited by the impossibility of procuring so 
many of a good quality. Horses! horses! either for cuirassiers, 
ov for dragoons, or light cavalry, or artillery, or draught. It is 
the greatest want we have. Ten thousand of our dismounted 
dragoons will soon march towards Minsk. General Bourcier 
must give them the direction of Koningsberg and Warsaw, 
according 'o the places in which they are to receive the fresh 
horses. Be very careful not to suffer the least delay in this 
aflPair. Write to Prince Schwartzenberg, and make him feel the 
importance of hastening his movements. I have had an aide-de- 
camp of the Duke of Belluno's (Victor), whom he left on the 
9th. I have sent him back with positive orders. 
" I pray God to have you in his holy keeping. 

(Signed) " Napoleon." 



I cannot better comment on these demands of Napoleon 
upon one of his allies, than by inserting a Memorial of another 
upon similar requisitions. 

Suite du compte rendu au Roi de Saxe, par le conseil ministeriei 
du Duche de Varsovie, en date du 17 Novembre, 1812. 

A la demande de I'administration Frangaise le gouvernement 
du duche fournit a la place de celui de Prusse 45,000 quintaux 
de viande en betail vivant, dont on lui promit le remboursement 
dans Tavenir. Les hopitaux de campagne, eriges a Posen, a 
Brombcrg, a Varsovie, a Plock, a Lomza, etc. re§urent outre 



NOTES. 398 

les alimens tves couteux et les medicamens pour les malades, 
tout ce que S. M. I'Empereur et Roi ordonna de leur fournir 
pour leurs besoins, et pour le compte de son tresor. Celui du 
Duche, oblige de couvrir, les depenses courantes de I'etat, ne 
pouvait plus suffire, vu I'accroissement des charges qui presque 
toutes n'etaient pas comprises dans les budgets precedens, et qui 
surpassaient du triple les revenus du tresor. II fallait des fonds 
extraordinaires} ceux qui provenaient de I'emprunt ouvert a 
Paris, aiderent sensiblement a hater les travaux des forteresses. 
La convention conclue a Dresde le 25 Fevrier 1812 facilita la 
nouvelle augmentation de I'armee, mais pour couvrir les besoins 
enormes de I'approvisionnement et de tous les objets militaires, ii 
fallut recouvrir a I'expedient violent et destrueteur de la requi- 
sition; le patriotisme de nos concitoyens put le supporter; ou 
couvrit les besoins de la guerre, mais I'appauvrissement d'une 
quantite d'habitans empira et prolongea pour I'avenir le triste 
etat du tresor. 

Telle etait la situation des choses, lorsque le conseil regut des 
pouvoirs plus etendus des mains de V. M. Le premier usage 
qu'il en fit, fut la convocation de la diete. 

La partie des approvisionnemens, les differentes branches de 
controle, les hopitaux de compagne, exigeaient des efforts ef- 
ficaces; il fut etabli pour cet effet une commission particuliere. 
Pour lui procurer les moyens de parvenir a son but, on mit a sa 
disposition tous les impots fonciers arrieres, et la quatrieme par- 
tie des impots courans, sans compter les fonds que I'etat assigna 
pour les fraix de controle et le payement des fournisseurs de 
viande. Plus recemment on y ajouta le produit arrieie et courant 
de I'impot paye par les juifs pour la viande, appele Koscher, et 
les fonds destines a couvrir les besoins de la guerre excederent 
la somme de 30 millions de florins de Pologne. 

L'habillement et I'armement des conscrits dans les depots 
des differens regimens se monterent, dans I'ordre etabli depuis 
Tentree de Tarmee en campagne, a 3116 fantassins et 2250 
cavaliers. 

Une partie de ce depots se mit en marche pour former un 
corps de 7400 hommes, qui fait le service effectif sous les 
ordres du general Kosinski; les gardes nationales rassembl^es 

3D 



394 . NOTES. 

dans les departemens de Cracovie, de Radom, de Lublin et de 
Siediic, et equipees et armees aux fraix de ces departemen&j 
*ournirent a ce coros 2 600 hommes d'infanterie et 1300 de 
cavalerie. Un appel adresse a lout le pays, et auquel on a deja 
donne ordre de se tenir piet, doit au premier signal fournir une 
force armee de 40,000 hommes. Elle doit etre reservee pour le 
cas de la defense du pays. La garde nationale qui servira aussitot 
a completer et a rentbrcer I'armee, le rassemblement des con- 
sents et leur equipement exigent toute la sollicitude du c'>nseil. 
Le nombre des gens a lever monte a 25,000, celui des chevaux a 
8819. Pour les met re au plus vite en etat de joindre I'armee, le 
conseil prit les mesures suivantes: Comme ce qui reste pour les 
depenses courantes de I'etat des fonds des masses destinees pour 
rhabillement, les remontes etc. ne saurait suffire aux objets ne- 
cessaires pour I'armement extraordinaire, le conseil donna le 4 
de ce mois le decret suivant: 

" La quatrieme parte des appointemens des fonctionnaires 
publics, ainsi que des pensions et emolumens payes par le 
tresor de I'etat, sera retenue pour son profit pendant toute la 
duree de la guerre. Outre les impots extraordinaires, on per- 
cevra la iroisieme partie de I'impot funcier, la moitie de I'impot 
personnel, le double du droit de patente, le tout comme un em- 
pi'unt extraordinaire qui devra etre rembourse a la paix. Les 
vojes de contrainte usitees a la perception des impots, seront_ 
aussi mis en us ge pour cet emprunt. La nation juive, n'etant 
pas soumise a la conscription militaire, paye en revanche 700,000 
florins de Pologne, mais comme cette somme a toujours rapport 
a des terns de paix, le conseil autorise le tresorier par le decret 
du 7 du courant, de percevoir encore une somme pareille, sur le 
motif de la guerre presente. En vertu d'un autre decret du con- 
seministeriel du 7 du courant, il se fait un enregistrement de 
tous les chevaux du pays; ceux qui sont propres au service, sont 
pris. Le prix moyen est de 25 ducats, et I'estimation sera faite 
par des gens de I'art. Les quittances des comraissaires charges 
de la reception des chevaux, seront acceptees en payement des 
impois pour I'annee 1813. — Deja anterieurement les habitans 
fournirent volouvaireo en , a la suite d'un appel du prefet, le 
Rombre demande de 60,000 chemises, dans les magasins mili- 



NOTES. 395 

taires — -On peut esperer d'obtenir de la meme tnaniere iin 
nombre considerable de souliers. Pour s'assurer encore plus du 
succes des moyens susmentionnes, le conseil voulut donner aux 
autorites executives un nouveau dep;'re d'activite et d'enertjjie, et 
h^ter en meme terns I'entree des impots, enredoublant de severite 
dans les ordonnances centre ceux qui desobeiraient ou qui com- 
mettraient des malversations au detriment du tresor. Tel est le 
double but du decret emane du conseil le 10 du cnurant. 

Permettez, Sire, de repeter succinctement les valeurs et les 
montans de ce que le conseil vient de vous soumettre. 

Le Duche de Varsovie fournit avant le commencement de la 
guerre 33,784 conscritS;. il en fournit maintenant 25,000, ce qui 
fait par consequent en moins de deux ans 58,784. 

II fournit avant la guerre 10,876 chevaux pour sa propre 
armee, il en vendit ou preta 3847 a Tadministration Fran^uise, ii 
lui reste a en fournir actuellement 8810, ce qui fait en tout 
23,542 chevaux. 

Les depenses pour completer et augmenter derechef I'armee, 
occasionnent au tresor un surcroit de frais de 3,301,005 florins 
de Pologne. 

La derniere construction des equipage, et I'achat des attelage 
et des armes, ainsi que d'autres depenses de guerre extraordi- 
naires, montent a 1,927,398. 

Les travaux des forteresses coutent deja 9,513,261. 

Les differens produits en nature livres pour les besoins de 
i'armee, montaient avant la guerre a 40 000,000; les fonds desti- 
nes ensuite pour cet effet, montent a 30,000,0C0j fait en tout 
70,000,000. 

Le produit de I'emprunt et de Timpot extraordinaire d« 
recrutement, auxquels il faut ajouter aussi la reduction des 
pensions et emolumens, montent a 10,007,146. 

Prix des chevaux comme a compte sur les impots de I'annee 
prochaine, 4,444,776. 

Prix des chemises et souliers fournis volontairement, 600,000. 

Reste d'autres charges, dont il est difficile ou impossible de 
faire un calcul, comme equipement et entretien des gardes 
nationales, suites des passages de troupes et des maux de la 
guerre dans les districts qui ont eie le theatre de la guerre; c'est 



396 NOTES. 

ainsi que les charges extraordinaires qui pesent sur le tresor et 
le pays comma un suite de la guerre presente, montent (outres 
les conscrits et les chevaux, et les 68,259,952 florins de Pologne; 
qui, autant qu'on peut en faire un calcul constituent le montant 
de revenus annuels ordinaires du pays) a la somme de 99,783,586 
florins de Pologne. Voil4, Sire, quels sont les efforts et les 
sacrifices signales, dont les sujets polonais de V. M. peuvent 
d6ja se glorifier, on que le conseil leur demande encore au nom 
de la patrie, persuade de les obtenir de leurs occurs tant ported 
pour leur salut. 

On n'a besoin de rien ajouter pour prouver la grandeur des 
sacrifices des allies de I'Empereur Napoleon. Nous nous bor- 
nons a dire seulement que la piece importante qu*on vient de 
lire est signee Stanislas Potocki, president, et Stanislas Graboiaskif 
secretaire-general du Conseil ministeriel. 



NOTE V [For Page 243.] 

Captain Wllloughby, of the royal navy, whose intrepid 
conduct at the capture of the Isle of France, is too well known 
and admired to need any further detail, being anxious to leave 
no interval unfilled by gallant actions, offered his voluntary 
services to the Emperor of Russia, while the frigate, which his 
own sovereign had destined for him, was building in England: 
his Imperial Majesty granted this permission; and Captain Wil- 
loughby went to Riga: but finding the service there less active 
than what his thirst for honourable distinction urged him to 
seek, he set off for the army of Count Vigtenstein. At the taking 
of Polotsk Captain Willoughby behaved with his usual intre- 
pidity and ability; and he might still have been pursuing his 
noble career, had not an act of generosity thrown him into the 
hands of the enemy. Observing two Russian soldiers cruelly 
"Wounded, who were attempting to drag their bleeding limbs 
from the scene of slaughter, Captain Willoughby dismountedj 
and calling on the Cossac that attended him to do the same, he 



NOTES. 397 

yliced the sufferers upon their horses, and was leading them 
away, when a party of French hussars surrounded and took them 
prisoners. This action, so worthy of the British character, could 
not fail of meeting an answering feeling in the heart of the 
magnanimous Alexander: he directed a letter to be addressed 
immediately to the chief of the French nation, offering any 
French officer in his possession as an equivalent for our brave 
countryman: the only answer vouchsafed by the ruthless Buona~ 
parte was " that no Englishman would be exchanged." 

This vehement hatred of the tyrant towards the English is 
one of our best testimonies of national virtue. He never found it 
possible to seduce or to subdue a spirit born in British land: and, 
iat this time his ambition was doubly racked by the report of 
Lord Wellington's victories in Spain; and his knowledge that 
the representative of the British monarch at St. Petcrsburgh, 
was not only a statesman of the first character, but a soldier 
eminent in talents and in fame. Buonaparte may sometimes 
flatter, but he cannot fail to hate the virtue that is opposed ta 
him. 



NOTE VI.—lFor Page 154. | 
BUONAPARTE'S EIGHTEENTH BULLETIN, 

BATTLE OF MOSCVA (oR BORODINO.) 

Mojaisk, \Oth Sefitembre, 1812. 

Le 4, I'Empereur partit de Ghatz et vint camper pres de la, 
poste de Gritneva. 

Le 5, a six heures du matin, I'armee se mit en mouvement, a 
deux heures apres-midi, on decouvrit I'armee Russe placee, sur 
les hauteurs de la rive gauche de la Kologha: a douze cents 
toises en avant de la gauche, I'ennemi avait commence a fortifier 
un beau mamelon entre deux bois, ou il avait place 9 a 10,000 
hommes. L'Empereur I'ayant recconu, resolu de ne pas differer 



398 NOTES. 

un moment, et d'enlever cette position. II ordonna au Roi de 
Naples de passer la Kologha avec la division de Compans et la 
cavalerie. Le Prince Poniatofsky qui 6tait venu par la droite, se 
trouva en mesure de tourner la position, a quatre heures I'at- 
taque commen§a, en une heure de temps la redoute ennemie fut 
prise avec ses canons, les corps ennemi chasse du bois et mis en 
deroute, apres avoir laisse la moitie de son monde sur le champ 
de bataille; a sept heures du soir le feu cessa. 

Le 6, a deux heures du matin, I'Empereur parcourut les avant 
postes ennerois: on passa la journee a se recconaitre. L'Ennemi 
avait une position tres resserree: sa gauche etoit fortaffaiblie par 
la perte de la position de la veille; elle etait appuyee d un grand 
bois, soutenue par un beau mamelon couronne d'une redoute 
armee de 25 pieces de canons. Deux autres mamelons couron- 
nes de redoutes, a cent pas I'un de I'autre, protegaient sa ligne 
jusqu' a un grand village que I'ennemi avait demoli pour couvrir 
le plateau d'artillerie et d'entanterie et y appuyer son centre. Sa 
droite passait derriere la Kologha en arriere du village de Boro- 
dino, et etait appuyee a deux beaux mamelons couronnes de 
redoutes et arn.ees de batteries. Cette position parut belle et 
forte. 11 etait facile de manceuvrir et d'obliger I'ennemi a I'eva- 
cuer; mais cela aurait remis la pai'tie, et sa position ne fut pas 
jugee tellement forte qu'il fallut elluder le combat. II fut facile 
de distinguer que les redoutes n'etaient qu' ebauch6es, le fosse 
peu profond non pallissade ni fraise. (hi eyalait les forces de 
i'ennemi a 123 ou 130 mille hommes. Nos forces etaient egales, 
mais la superiorite de nos troupes n'etoit pas douteuse. 

Le 7, a deux heures du matin, I'Empereur eiait entoure de ses 
marechaux a la position prise I'avant-veille: a cinq heures et 
demie, le soleil se leva sans nuages; la veille il avait plu — " C'est 
le soleil d'Austerlitz" dit I'Empereur. Quoique au mois de 
Septembre, il faisait aussi froid qu'en Decembre en Moravie. 
L'Armfee en accepta I'augure. On batti un ban, et on lut I'ordre 
du jour suivant. 

« Soldats, 

" Voila la bataille que vous avez tant desiree! Desormais la 
victoire depend de vous; elle nous est necessaire; elle nous 



NOTES. 399 

donnera Tabondance, de bons quarters d'hiver, et un prompt 
retour dans la patrie. Conduirez vous comme a Auslerliiz, a 
Friedland, a Vitepsk, a Smolenzk, et que la posterite la plus 
reculee cite avec orgueil votre conduite dans cette journee; que 
Ton dise de vous; il etait a cetie grande bataille sous les niurs de 
Moscow!" 

" Au Camp Imperial, sur les hauteurs de Borodino, 
le 7 Septembre, a 2 heures du matin." 

L'armee repondit par des acclamations reiterees. Le plateau 
sur le quel etait l'armee etait convert de cadavres Russes du 
combat de I'avant veille. 

Le Prince Poniatofsky, qui formait la droite, se mit on mouve- 
ment pour tourner la foret sur laquelle I'ennemi appuyait sa 
gauche. 

Le Prince d'Eckmuhl se mit en marche le long de la foret, la 
division Compans en tete. Deux batteries de 60 pieces de cannon, 
chacune battant la position de i'ennemi, avoient 6te construites 
pendant la nuit. 

A 6 heures, le General Comte Sombier, qui avait armee 
la battei'ie droite avec I'artillerie de la reserve de la garde, 
commen^a le feu. Le General Parnesty, avec 30 pieces de canon, 
prit la tete de la division Compans, quatrieme du premier corps, 
qui longea le bois. tournant la tete de la de I'ennemi: a 6 heures 
et ^ le General Compans est bless6: a 7 heures le Prince Eck- 
muhl a son cheval tue. L'attaque avance, la mousqueterie s'en- 
gage. Le Viceroi, qui formoit notre gauche, attaque et prend le 
village de Borodino que I'ennemi ne pouvait defendre, ce village 
ctant sur la rive gauche de la Kologha. 

A 7 heures le Marechal d'Elchingen se met on mouvement, 
et, sous la protection de 60 pieces de canon, que le General 
Fucher avait placee la veille contre le centre de I'ennemi, se 
porte sur le centre. Mille pieces de canon vomissent de part 
et d'autre la mort. 

A 8 heures, les positions de I'ennemi sont enlevees, ses 
r^doutes prises et notre artillerie couronne ses mamelons. L'a- 
vantage de position qu' avaient eu pendant deux heures les bat- 
teries ennemis nous appartient maintenant. Les parapets qui ont 



400 NOTES. 

ete centre nous pendant Tattaque redeviennent pour nous. L'en- 
nemi voit la bataille perdue, qu'il ne la croyait que commen^a. 
Partie de son artillerie est prise, le reste est evacue sur ses 
lignes en arriere. Dans cette extremite, il prend le partie d© 
retablir le combat, et d'attaquer avec toutes ses masses ces fortes 
positions qu'el n'a pu garder. Trois cents pieces de canon 
Frangaises placees sur ces hauteurs oudroient ses masses, et ses 
soldats viennent mourir au pied de ces parapets qu'ils avoient 
eleves les jour precedants avec tant de soin, et comme des abres 
protecteurs. 

Le Roi de Naples, avec la cavalrie fit diverses charges. Le 
due d'Elchingen se couvrit de gloire, et montra autant d'intre- 
pidite que de sang froid I'Empereur ordonne une change de 
fronte la droite en avant; ce mouvement nous rend maitres des 
trois parts du champ de bataille. Le Prince Poniatofsky se bat 
dans le bois avec des succes varies. 

II restait a I'ennemi ses redoiites de droite: le General Comte 
Morand y marche et les enleve; mais a 9 heures du matin, 
attaque de toutes cotes, il ne peut s'y maintenir. L'Ennemi, 
encourage par ce succes, fit avancer se reserve et ses dernieres 
troupes pour tenter encore la fortune. La garde Imperiale en 
fait partie. II attaque notre centre sur lequel avait pivote notre 
droite— on craint pendant un moment qu'il enleve le village 
brule; la division Friant s'y porte, 80 pieces de canon fran9aises 
arretent d'abord et ecrasent ensuite les colonnes ennemis qui se 
tiennent pendant deux heures serres sous la mitraille, n'osant 
pas avancer, ne voulant pas reculer, et renon^ant a I'espoir de la 
victoire. Le Roi de Naples decide leur incertitude; il fait 
charger le 4 corps de cavalrie qui penetre par les breches 
que le mitraille de nos canons a faites dans les masses serrees 
des Russes et les esquadrons de leurs cuirassiers; ils se de- 
feandent de tous cotes. Le general de division Comte Caulin* 
«ourt, gouverneur des pages de I'empereur, le porte a latete du 
5 cuirassiers, culbute tous, entre dans le redoute de gauche par 
la gorge. Des ce moment plus d'incertitude, la bataille est 
gagnfee; il tourne centre les Russes, le 24 pieces de canon qui 
se trouvent dans la redoute. Le Comte Caulincourt, qui venait 
^e se distinguer par cette belle charge, avait termine ses 'des- 



NOTES. 40L 

linees; il tombe mort frappe par un boulet; mort gloriease et 
digne d'envie! 

II est deux heures apres midi, toutes esperances abandonne 
Tennemi; la bataille est finie, la canonade continue encore; il se 
bat pour sa retraite et son salut, inais, non pour la victoire. 

La perte de I'ennemi est enorme; 12 a 13 mille hommes, et 8 
a 9 mille chevaux russes ont ete comptes sur ler champ de 
bataille; 60 pieces de canon et cinq mille prisoniers sont en 
notre pouvoir — -nous avons eu 2500 hommes tues, et le tripple 
de blesses, notre perte totale peut etre evaluee a 10 mille hom- 
mes; celle de I'ennemi a 40 ou 50 mille. Jamais on n'a vu pariel 
champ de bataille, sur six cadavres il y en avait un Frangais et 
cinq Russes. Quarente generaux russes ont ete tues, blesses ou 
pris; le general Bragation a ete blesse — nous avons perdu le 
general de division Comte Monbrum, lue d'un coup de canon; 
le General Comte Caulincourt, qui avait ete envoye pour le 
remplacer, tue d'un coup une heure apres. Les generaux de 
brigade Compere, Plauzonne, Marion, Huart ont ete tues; sept 
ou huit generaux ont ete blesses la plupart legerement. Le 
Prince d'Ecknmhl n'a eu aucun mal les troupes franc ises se 
sont couvertes de gloire et ont montre leur grand superiorite 
sur les troupes russes. 

Telle est en peu de mots I'esquisse de la bataille de la Moskva, 
donneex a deux lieues en arriere de Mojaisk, et a vingt cinq 
lieues de Moscow, pres de la petite riviere de la Moskoa. Nous 
avons tire 60 mille coups de canon, qui sont deja remplaces par 
I'arrivee de 800 voitures d'artillerie qui avoient depasse Sma- 
lenzk avant la bataille. Tous les bois et les villages, depuis le 
champs de bataille j'usqu'ici sont couverts de morts et de bles- 
ses, on a trouve ici deux mille morts ou amputes Russes. 
Plus'eurs Generaux et Colonels sont Prisoniers. IJemjiereur n'a 
jamais ete expose; la garde, ni a pied ni a cheval, n'a pas donne 
et n'a pas perdu un seul homme. La victoire n'a jamais etc 
incertaine, si I'ennemi, force dans ses positions, n'avait pas 
voulu les reprendre — notre perte e.urait ete plus forte qne le 
sienne; mais il a detruit son armee, en la tenant depuis huit heures 
jusqu' a deux sous le feu de ncs batteries, ct en s'opinaitrarnt a' 

?. E 



402 NOTES. 

reprendre ce qu'il avait perdu — c'est la cause de son immense 
parte. 

Tout le monde s'est distingue; le Roi de Naples et le Due 
d'Elcliingen se sent fait remarquer. 

L'artillerie et surtout celle de la garde, s'est surpassee. Des 
rapports detaill6s feront connaitre les actions qui ont illusti'!^ 
cette journee. 



NOTE VII.— [i^or Page 358.] 
IJUONAPAllTE'S TWENTY-NINTH BULLETIN. 

Molodetschino, Dec. 3, 1812. 

JusQu' Au 6 Novembre, le terns a ete parfait et le mouvement 
de i'arraee s'est execute avec le plus grand succes. Le froid a 
commence le 7; des ce moment, chaque nuit nous avons perdu 
plusieurs centaines de chevaux qui mouraient au bivouac. Ar- 
rives a Smolenzk, nous avions deja perdu bien des chevaux de 
cavalerie et d'artillerie. 

L'armee russe de Volhynie etait opposee a notre droite. Notre 
droite quitta la ligne d'operation de Minsk, et prit pour pivot de 
ses operations la ligne de Varsovie. L'Empereur apprit a Smo- 
lenzk, le 9, ce changement de ligne d'operation, et presuma ce 
que ferait I'ennemi. Quelque dur qu'il iui parut de se mettre en 
mouvement, dans une si cruelie saison, le nouvel etatdes choses 
Je necessitait, il esperait arriver a Minsk, ou de moins sur la Be- 
resina, avant I'ennemi; il parut le 13,de Smolenzk; le 16 il coucha 
aKrasnoi; le IVoid qui avait commence le 7, s'accrut subitement, 
et du 14 au 15 et au 16, le thermometre marqua 16 et 18 degres 
au-dessous de glace. Les chemins furent converts de verglas, les 
chevaux de cavalerie, d'artillerie, de train, perissaient toutes les 
huits non par centaines, mais par milliers, surtout les chevaux de 
France et d'Allemagne plus de 30,000 chevaux perirent en pen de 
jours; notre cavalerie se trouva toute a pied, notre artillerie et 
nos transports se trouvraient sans attelage. II fallut abandonner 
et detruire une bonne partie de nos pieces et de nos munitions de 



NOTES. 403 

guerre et debouche. Cette armee si belle le 6, etaitbien differente 
des le 14, presque sans cavalerie, sans arlillerie, sans transports. 
Sans cavalerie nous ne pouvions pas nous eclairer a un quart de 
lieue, cependant sans artillerie nous ne pouvions pas risquer une 
bataille et attendre de pied fernie; il fallait marcher pour ne pas 
etre contraints a une bataille que le defaut de munitions nous 
empechait de desirer il fallait occuper un certain espace pourne 
pas etre tuurnee, et cela sans cavalerie qui eclairat et liat les co- 
lonnes. Cette difficulte, joinie i un froid excessif subitement 
venu, rendit notre situation facheuse. Les homines que la nature 
n'a pas trempes assez fortement pour etre au-dessus de toutes 
les chances du sort et de la fortune, parerent ebranles, perdirent 
leur gaiete, leur bonne humeur, et ne reverent que malheurs et 
catastrophes, ceux qu'elle a crees superieurs a tout, conserve- 
rent leur gaiete, et leur manieres ordinaires, et virent une nou- 
velle gloire dans des difficultes dififerentes a surmonter. L'ennemi 
qui voyait sur les chemins les traces de cette affreuse calamite 
qui frappait I'armee frangaise, chercha a en profiter. II envelop- 
pait toutes les colonnes par ses cosaques, qui eulevaient, comme 
les arabes dans les deserts, les trains et les voitures qui s'ecar- 
taient. Cette meprisable cavalerie, qui ne fait que du bruit, et 
n'est pas capable d'enfoncer une compagnie de voltigeurs, se 
rendit redoubtable a la faveur des circonstances. Cependent 
Tennemi eut a se repentir de toutes les tentatives serieuses 
qu'il voulat entreprendre; il fut culbute par le Vice-Roi, ou 
devant duquel il s'etait place, et il-y perdit beaucoup de monde. 
Le due d'Elchingen qui avec troismille hommcs faisait I'arriere- 
gai'de, avait fait sautier les ramparts de Smolenzk; il fut cerne 
et se trouva dans une position critique; il s'en tira avec cette in- 
trepidite qui le distingue apres avoir tenu l'ennemi eloigne de 
lui, pendant toute la journee, a la nuit il fit un mouvement sur le 
flanc droit, passa le Borystene a Orza, et I'armee russe, fatiguee, 
ayant perdu beaucoup de monde, cessa la ses tentatives, 

L'armee de Volhynie s'etait porte des le 16 sur Minsk, et 
marchait sur Borisow. Le General Dombrousky defendit la tete de 
pont de Borisow avec 3000 hommes. La 23, il fut force et oblige 
d'evacuer cette position. L'ennemi passa alors la Beresina, mar- 
chant sur Bobr, la division Lambert faisait I'avant-garde. Le 2d 



404 NOTES. 

corps, commande par le Due de Reggio, qui etait a Ischerain, 
avail recu I'ordre, de se porter sur Borisow, pour assurer a 
I'armee le passage de la Beresina. La 24, le Due de Reggio 
rencontra la division Lambert a 4 lieues de Borisow, i'attaqua, 
la battit, lui fit 2000 prisonniers, lui prit six pieces de canons; 
500 voitures de bagages de I'armee de Volhynie, et rejetta I'en- 
nemi sur la rive droite de la Beresina. Le General Berckhuin, 
avec la 4« regiment de cuirassiers, se distingua par une belle 
charge. L'enneini ne trouva son salut qu'en brulant le pont qui 
a plus de 300 toises. 

Cependant I'ennemi occupait tous le passages de la Beresina, 
cette riviere est large de 40 toises, elle charrioit assez de glaces, 
mais ses bords sont converts de morais de 300 toises de long, ee 
qui la rend un obstacle difficile a franchir. Le general ennemi 
avait place ses 4 divisions dans differens debouches ou il pr6- 
sumait que I'armee fran^aise voudrait passer. 

Le 26, a la pointe de jour, TEmpereur apres avoir trompe 
I'ennemi par divers mouvements faits dans la journee du 25, se 
porta son le village de Studzionca, et fit aussitot, malgre une 
division ennqmie et en sa presence, jetter deux ponts sur la 
riviere. Le Due de Reggio passa, attaqua Tennemi, et le mena 
battont deux heurs, I'ennemi se retira sur la tete de pont de 
Borisow. Le General Le Grand, officier du premier merite, fut 
blesse grievement mais non dangereusement. Ainsi la journee 
du 26 et du 27 I'armee passe. 

Le Due de Bellune commandant le 9« corps, avait re^u ordre 
de suivre le mouvement du Due du Reggio, de faire I'arriere- 
garde et de contenir I'armee russe de la Dwina qui la suivait. 
Portonnaux faisait I'arriere-garde de ee corps. Le 27 a midi, le 
Due de Bellune arriva avec deux divisions au pont de Studzianca. 
La division Partonnaux portit a la nuit de Borisow. Une brigade 
de cette division qui formait I'arriere-garde, et qui etait chargee 
de bruler les ponts, partit a sept heures du soir; elle arriva entre 
dix et douze heures; elle chercha sa premiere brigade et son 
general de division qui etaient partis deux heures avant et 
qu'elle n'avit pas recontres en route. Ses recherches furent 
vaines; on concut alors des inquietudes. Tout ce qu'on a pu 
connaitre depuis, c'est que cette premiere brigade, pavtie a 



NOTES. 406 

cinq heures, s'est egaree a six, a pris a droite au lieu de prendre 
a gauche, et a fait deux ou trois lieues dans cette direction, que 
dans la nuit et tranaie de froid, elle s'est ralliee aux feux de 
I'ennemi, qu'elle a pris pour ceux de Tarmee Frangaise, entoiiree 
ainsi, elle aura ete enlevee. Cette cruelle meprise doit nous 
avoir fait perdre 2000 hommes d'infanterie, 800 chevaux et trois 
pieces d'artillerie. Des bruits couraient que ie general de divi- 
sion n'etait par avec sa colonne et avait marche isolement. Toute 
I'armee ayant passe le 28 au matin, Ie Due de Bellune gardoit 
la tete de pont sur la rive gauche; le Due de Reggio, et derriere 
lui, toute, I'armee, etoit sur la rive droite. Borisow ayant ete 
evacue, les arniees de la Dwina et de V'olhynie communique- 
rent; elles concerterent une attaque. La 28, a la pointe du jour, 
le Due de Reggio fit prevenir I'Empereur qu'il 6tait attaque. 
Une demi-heure apres le Due de Bellune le fut sur la rive 
gauche; I'armee prit les armes. Le Due d'Elchingen se porta a 
la suite du Due de Reggio et le Due de Trevise, derriere le Due 
d'Elchingen. Se combat devint vif: I'ennemi voulut deborder 
notre droite; le general Donmerc, commandant la cinquieme di] 
vision de cuirassiers, et qui faisait partie du 2d corps resie sur 
la Dwina, ordonna une charge de cavalerie aux 4^ et 5^ regimens 
de cuirassiers, au moment ou la legion de la Vistule s'engageait 
dans de bois pour percer le centre de I'ennemi qui fut culbute et 
mis en deroute ces braves cuirassiers enfoncerent successive^ 
ment six carres d'enfanterie et mirent en deroute la cavalerie 
ennemie, qui venoit au secours de son infanterie, 6000 prison- 
niers, deux drapeaux, et six pieces de cannon tomberent en 
notre pouvoir. 

De son cote le Due de Bellune fit charger vigoureusement 
I'ennemi, le battit, lui fit 5 a 600 prisonniers, et le fuit hors la 
portee des canons du pont. Le general Journie fit une belle 
charge de cavalerie. 

Dans le combat de la Beresina, I'armee de Volhynie a beau- 
coup souffert. Le Due de Reggio a ete blesse; sa blessure n'est 
pas dangereuse; c'est une balle qu'il a regue dans le cote. 

Le lendemain 29, nous restames sur le champ de battaille. 
Nous avions a choisir autre deux routes; celle de Minsk et celle 
de Vilna. La route de Minsk passe au milieu d'une foret et de 



406 NOTES. 

marais ineultes, et il eut ete impossible a Tarmee de s'y nourrirc 
La route de Vilna au contraire, passe dans de tres-bons pays. 
L'armee sans cavalerie, faible, en munitions, horriblement fa- 
tigu6e de 50 jours de inarche, trainant a sa suite ses malades et 
les blesses de tout de combats, avoit besoin d'arriver a ses maga- 
zins. Le 30, le Quartier General fut a Plechnitzi; le I Decem- 
bre a Ilaiki, et le 3, a Molo Delchno, ou l'armee a re§u les pre- 
miers convois de Vilna. Tous les officiers et soldats blesses, et 
tout ce qui est embarras, bagages, &c. ont ete diriges sur Vilna. 

Dire que l'armee a besoin de retablir sa discipline, de se 
refaire, de remonter sa cavalerie, son artillerie et son material, 
c'est le resultat de I'expose qui vient d'etre fait. Le repos est 
son premier besoin. Le material et les chevaux arrivent. Le 
General Bourcier a deja plus de 20,000 de chevaux de remonte 
dans differans depots- L'artiilerie a deja repare ses pertes. Les 
generaux, les officiers, et les soldats ont bcaucoup souffert de la 
fatigue et de la dissette. Beaucoup ont perdue leurs bagages par 
suite de la perte de ieurs chevaux^ quelques uns par le fait des 
ambuscades des Cosaques. Les Cosaques ont pris nombre d'hom- 
mes isoles, d'ingenieurs geographes qui levaient les positions, 
et des officiers blesses qui marchaient sans precaution, preferant 
courir des risques plutot qui de marcher posement et dans des 
convois. 

Les rapports des officiers generaux, commandans les corps 
feront connoitre les officiers et les soldats qui se sont le plus dis- 
tingue, et les details de tous ces memorables evenemens. 

Dans tous ces mouvements, I'Empereur a toxijours marche au 
milieu de sa garde, la cavalerie, commandee par le Mar6chal 
Due d'Istrie, et d'infanterie, commandee par le Due de Dantzic. 
Sa Majeste a 6te satisfaite du bon esprit que sa garde a montrej 
elle a toujours ete prete a de porter partout ou les circonstances 
I'auroient exigee; mais les circonstances ont toujours ete telles 
que sa simple presence a suffi, et qu'elle n'a pas ete dans le cas 
de donner. Le Prince de Neufchatel, le Grand Marechal, le 
Grand Ecuyer, et tous les Aides-de-Camp, et les officiers mili- 
taires de la maison de I'Empereur ont toujours i^ccompagne Sa 
Majeste. 



NOTES. 407 

Notre cavalerie etoit tellement demontee, que I'on a pu reunir 
Jes officiers auxquels il vestoit un cheval pour en former quatre 
conripagnies de 150 hommes chacune. Les Generaux y faisaient 
les fonctions de capitaines, et les colonels celles de sous officiers. 
Cet escadron sacre, commande par le General Lyrouchi, et sous 
les ordres du Roi de Naples, ne perdoit pas de vue de TEmpe- 
reur dans tons Its n;ouvemens. 

La sante de sa Majestc n'a jamais ete meilleure. 



NOTE VUL-^lFrom Page 341 .j 

When General Baron Vinzingorode, and his aide-de-camp 
€aptam Narishkin, were made prisoners at Moscow, in violation 
of every law civil or military, Buonaparte ordered them to be 
brought before him. The command bein'^ obeyed, the French 
leader, swelling with rage, but with an air of triumph, addi'essed 
the Russian general (who is a Hessian by birth) — " Sir," cried 
he, " you are a traitor: I shall send you back to your country, to 
meet the fate your infamy merits. You should die instantly, but 
that I wish your countrymen to have the satisfaction of beholding 
such a traitor receive the reward of his crime." 

The Baron replied, with firmness, " Sir, I am no traitor, and, 
as a soldier, I never fear nor shrink from death, let it come in 
whatever form it may." 

" You, Sir," said Napoleon, speaking to Captain Narishkin, 
*' are of a brave family: I know the name well; and I lament to see 
you have been taken with such a scoundrel as that." 

Soon after this conference, in which the manners of a true 
sans culottes exhibited themselves under the Imperial purple, 
the illustrious prisoners were put together into a caleche^ and 
forwarded, under an escort of gens d'armes, towards Grodno: 
from that place they were to proceed to Warsaw, and thence 
the Baron was to be dispatched to Hesse, The fiat of his enemy 
was to accompany him"; and his death would have added another 
to the list of innocent victim.s who had been treacherousiv taken 



408 NOTES. 

and iniquitbusly butchered by the commands of the French 
despot. 

The escort had reached the government of Minzk, when at 
the skirt of a wood one of the wheels which belonged to the 
carriage in which the prisoners were, gave way. The General 
and his companion were both asleep at the time, but the noise 
awoke Captain Narishkin, who, while looking out at the people 
remedying the accident, observed, amidst the trees, the points 
of some pikes. He instantly aroused the General, and commu- 
nicated what he had seen. His observation, and his consequent 
hopes, were true; for immediately some Cossacs presented them- 
selves, and moved forward unobserved by the Gens d'armes. 

Vinzingorode put himself forward in the carriage, and placed 
himself so that the heroes of the Don saw his Imperial star. A 
glance was sufficient: they charged the escoi^t: a few minutes 
decided the contest; the French took refuge in the woods; and 
the Russian General and his aide-de-camp were, in perfect 
safety, in the hands of Colonel Tchernicheff and his brave little 
band. 

On their arrival at the head-quarters of Count Vigtenstein, 
the Baron, together with Narishkin and other prisoners of conse- 
quence whom the Cossacs had set free, set off for St. Peters- 
burgh. 

Baron Vinzingorode, who hardly believed himself liberated 
till he was again in the track of glory, soon after rejoined the 
army, and is now commanding a large division against his ene- 
mies on the Banks of the Oder.' 



Having given an instance of the greatness of mind with which 
a Russian officer could reply to the domineering insolence of the 
French ruler, I cannot refrain from adding to it one proof cut of 
many of a similar spirit existing amongst the lowest subjects. 

A party of French marauders entered the cottage of a poor 
peasant, in search of plunder and provisions. \V hen they had 
seized every thing dead or alive, even to the very cat, ont oi he 
brigands took the left-hand of the honest Russian, and with a 



NOTES. 409 

staining^ liquid marked on it the letter N. The boor seeing 
the figure, demanded what it meant; upon which one of the 
soldiers, who was a Pole, replied, " It is the initial of the French 
Emperor, and by that mark you are become his subject." On 
hearing this, the high-spirited Russian drew his axe from his 
sash, and laying his arm on the table, in an instant, and at one 
blow, left the disgraced hand, covered with blood, before the 
eyes of the astonished soldiery. " There," cried he, " take what 
belongs to the French Emperor, if it is his! But still my heart 
and my body belong to my own sovereign, and will ever serve 
him with fidelity." 



NOTE IX.—lFor Page 349.] 

From such multitudes of the enemy being made prisoners by 
the Russians during this retreat, the duty of conducting them 
into the interior was transferred from the soldiers to the armed 
peasantry. The devastation which the invaders had caused pre- 
senting itself at every step to their conductors, did not tend 
to soften their minds towards the distresses of their captives; and 
therefore there was not often great pains taken to preserve them 
-from the fatal effects of their situation. Indeed to have afforded 
adequate comforts for so vast a body, would have required 
resources which, considering the rapidity of the defeat, could 
not come into the calculation of the victors to prepare. The 
consequence was that the fatigue of marching by day, and the 
cold of the nights, every hour lessened the number of prisoners. 
Not having room in the inhabited dwellings for them, they were 
usually put until dawn into the half-destroyed out-buildings 
which lay in the way of their destination. And here hundreds 
■would be found each morning stiffened to death by the severity 
of the frost. By these means, nearly three parts of the original 
number of prisoners miserably perished. 

Of the 25,000 fugitives who reached the opposite side of the 
Neimen, many of them also fell into the hands of their pursuers; 
and those who did escape into Poland, were soon after seized 

3 F 



410 NOTES. 

with diseases incident to their sufferings, which either number- 
ed them with the dead, or completely disabled most of them 
from future service. 



NOTE X. — IReferred to in the latter pages of the narrative.^ 

The twelve hundred pieces of cannon taken from the French, 
during these latter days of their flight from the theatre of their 
most iniquitous aggression, are to be erected into a monument 
of the invincible courage which repelled the outrage, and of the 
favour of the Almighty Power which drove the invaders over 
the barriers of the Empire. 

The celebrated Chevalier Quaringy, the Imperial architect, 
who has already given so many proofs of his talents to the 
capital of Russia, has presented a design for this memorial 
of patriotism and military glory: he proposed that the whole of 
the captured artillery should be taken to Moscow, and piled up 
into a vast pyramid, surmounted with a brazen statue of Victory. 
The idea is simple and sublime. 

Greatness of thought in simplicity of expression is character- 
istic of the Russians. They have a medal, which was struck by 
Catherine II. in commemoration of the battle of Tchesma. Its 
device is the enemy's fleet on fire, and the inscription the Rus- 
sian word which signifies " It was." It has been suggested to 
carry the same imfiresse to the monument of French guns^ 
which, as the remains of the Grand Army^ must ever stand as a 
memorial of what " it was." 

The great, the pious Alexander, in acknowledgment of the 
power whence alone he derives his glory, in a ukase, dated 
Wilna, Dec. 25, O. S. issues his orders that the foundation- 
stone of a new church shall instantly be laid in Moscow, and 
that it shall be dedicated to Christ the Saviour. He adds, that he 
trusts it will continue a perpetual monument, to future genera- 
tions, of the deliverance of Russia, and of the magnanimity and 
devotion of its people. 



NOTES. 411 

His Imperial Majesty likewise ordained that a patriotic 
offering made by the Holy Synod should immediately be ap- 
propriated to its intended purpose. It consisted of a fund of 
3,500,000 roubles, to be set apart for the repair of the cathedrals, 
monasteries, parish churches, and school-houses, which have 
been destroyed in the Kremlin, in Moscow, and in the other 
cities of the government where the enemy principally committed 
ravages. This treasure is also intended to furnish relief to priests 
and preceptors, and to such ecclesiastical seminaries as have 
suffered by the invasion of the French. 

The glorious issue of the Russian campaign, even more than 
answered the high expectations which the patriot nation of Spain 
had formed of its termination. The sentiments of the Spanish 
Regency ai-e so worthy of themselves, and of the noble people 
whose cause was that of all Europe, that I cannot I'esist con- 
cluding this note with their address on the struggles and hopes 
of Russia, to their brave countrymen engaged in the same 
contest. 



PROCLAMATION DE LA REGENCE D'ESPAGNE A LA NATION 
ESPAGNOLB. 

ESPAGKOLS! 

L'Empereur de toutes les Russies, Alexandre, ce Prince, qui 
en peu d'annees de paix, s'etoit rendu celebre par ses virtus 
sublimes, qui regne sur les coeurs de tous ces sujets de son 
vaste Empii'e, qui, par ses sentimens genereux, et par ses 
principes liberaux, paroit destine par la Providence, a ameliorer 
les destinees du genre humain, ne pouvoit se persuader qu'un 
homme qui pourroit ajouter a la gloire solide ct immortelle de 
bienfaiteur de tant de peuples, et qui plusieurs fois dans ses 
ecrits, dans ses discours, et dans ses entrevues avec Alexandre 
lui-meme, avoit soin d'etre anime des memes sentimens; et 
penetre de la verite des memes principes, put cacher sous les 
apparences, le coeur d'un Neron, la perfidie d'un Tibere, la 
ferocite d'un Attila, et voulut devenir I'execration de tous les 
peuples. Mais la violation continuelle des traites, I'etat perma- 
nent d'agression contra tous les Princes, pour les detroner, et 



412 NOTES. 

contre toutes les nations pour les subjuger successivement, et la 
maniere barbare de faire la guerre en portant partout le brigan- 
dage et la devastation, ont convaincu le genereux et magnanime 
Alexandre, qu'il devoit se constituer le prutecteur de la liberte 
et de la civilisation non seulement du Nord, mais encore du midi 
de I'Europe. 

C'est ainsi que nous devons le considerer a la vue des traites 
qu'il vient de conclure celui de I'alliance avec I'Espagne, la 
reconnoissance des Cortes, celle de la constitution et de Ferdinand 
VII. qui doit regner d'apres elle, sont les surs garants de notre 
independence. Alexandre, dont le coeur est si noble, et si eleveF 
Alexandre, dont la vertu ne pouvoit meme concevoir dans son 
eimemi un degre de depravation aussi horrible que celui qui 
etoit necessaire pour treamer d'aussi noires perfidus, d'aussi 
epouvantables intamies qui celles, qu'il a ose se permettre envers 
notre Souverain bien-aime; Alexandre, saisi d'indignation au 
moment ou le voile qui couvroit des attentats et des trahisons si 
abominables s'est dechire, touche de la fermete et de la loyautfe 
heroique des Espagnols, sera indubitablen\ent aussi constant et 
aussi inebrantable dans la sublime enterprieze du salut de 
I'Espagne, comme le fidele nation Uusse, dans celle de secondei' 
ton magnanime Empereur, et de n'epargner aucun sacrifice 
pour assurer le triomphe contre rennemi commun, et delivrer 
rhumanite du plus grand des fleaux qui ait jamais accables les 
peuples civiles. La Regence de Royaume ne s'arretera pas a 
vous tracer le tableau de tous ce que nous avons lieu d'attendre 
de la valeur incontestable du soldat Russe. 

L'univers n'a par perdu le souvenir des frequentes humilia- 
tions qu'il fait eprouver a Frederic le grand, ni de rapides 
victoires qu'il a remportees tant de fois en Nalic sur les legions 
orgueilleuses de ces vites esclaves qui' se donnoient alors le nom 
de repubiicains, ni de la legon terrible qu'il leur donna a Eylau 
et sur d'autres changes de bataile, lorsque ayant abjure ce litre, 
ils prirent celui d'humber du tyran. Aujourdhui on extend deja 
le bruit de ses premiers exploits contre les memes enemis, com" 
mandes comme alors en Pologne par rhomme frenetique qui 
veut parroitre invincible. 



NOTES. 413 

Si dans I'histoire de emigration des peuples, nous cherchions 
des motifs pour justifier les causes de la resemblance de caractere 
entre les Russes et les Espagnols, nous pourrions en assignor 
des raisons tres probables, mais ce qu'l nous importe de savoir, 
c'est que le Russe est constant et religiuiez comma l*Espagnol; 
qu'il a une vivacite de caractere superieure a celles des autres 
peuple du Nord de I'Europe; et que gouverne et conduit par un 
aussi grand Prince qu' Alexandre, il restora inebranlable dans la 
noble entreprize de I'esister a I'ennemie commun, de la pour- 
suivre et de consolider notre liberie et natre gloire. De notre 
cote, les efforts et les sacrifices qui nous restent a faire, ne 
dementiront point aux que nous avons d6ja faits avec tant de 
fermete at pendant si long temps, qu'ils ont prepare les tri- 
pmphes de nos allies et I'epoque de nos esperances. 

(Signe) Le Duo Ue L'Infantado, 

President. 

Cadiz, Sefitember, Ist, 1812. 



414 



NOTES. 



NOTE XL 

The following military returns are selected from a number of 
others equally proving the severe losses which the French army 
sustained in its Northern campaign. The original documents 
were never intended by Napoleon for the public eye, but were 
taken with other papers by Count Vigtenstein's cavalry after 
having driven the fugitives across the Neimen. 



a, 
bs 
S ^ 



«3 


officc-,s ^^rr'^ y 




to 


Under officers S 5 < ^ g. » 

and r-lsi'l 
soldiers 




! 


Officers ^^0^ 

Under officers ^ ^ 1 s 
and « SS- 
soldiers "*' 


r 

c 

la 


r 
> 



5! 




__ Officers __ ^ S„.^^. 1^:^ 
Under officers = r.^ = ScSI^-i 

and B^%^rr%Zltf 

soldiers "T^ S, "" ^^^ ^ 1 * "^ 


1 Officers «,o -1 

Under officers C. 5- S" 

^ and 1^^ 

soldie)-s . "= H»3 


CJ 1 Ofhcers n ^^'^'^^^ 3 ^. ti^V 

bnderofficers ^ ^^ S" ;.2 S ^g- g'g a. S> 

^ and 1 i'g =-5f g B S"^ 3 S^g" 

•^ soldiers ^^t^S-'^-'S ^?^ 


Cj Officers 1 




Under officers g" o"" 
and ?' £ 
soldiers 


to 


Officers hn 





Under officers ^ B n 

and g ft g 

soldiers ° "^ 




ft) 
I 



^ 





!^ 


[fl 


'i^ 




i" 


H 


s 


W 







'^ 


a 


^ 


H 


5 


w 




PI 






g 






o» 






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NOTES. 



415 






a 






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416 



NOTES. 




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= 12 3 5- 



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417 



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418 NOTES. 

Thus these four regiments 
on quilting Smolenzk had pre- On the 15th and 16th"of 

sent under arms: December. 

Officers. Men. Officers. Men. 

4th regt. - 29- - 252 - - - - 12 - 10 

5th regt. - 27 - 470 .... 17 .24 

6lh regt. - 31 - 300 - - - - 14 - 10 

4th regt. V. 32 - 427 - - - . 26 - 29 



Total 1:9 1,449 Total 69 73 

In so short a period the loss to this small part of the army 
amounted in officers to fifty, and in men to 1,376. 

By the above document we see how greatly Napoleon's pri- 
vate accounts differed from his public reports; and how very wide 
the latter were from the fact, is now generally known in the pre- 
sent seat of war. 

In the 15th number of a periodical work published at St. 
Petersburgh, entitled " Sons of their Country," we find an enter- 
taining estimate of the Russian and French losses, during the 
late campaign: the following result is drawn from twenty-nine of 
the French Bulletins. 

" According to Napoleon, the loss of the Russians amounted 
to 40,528 killed; 70,8 10 wounded; and 67,269 made prisoners: 
making a total of 178,607 men, besides 82 generals, 1157 pieces 
of cannon, and two standards. 

" The loss of the French, on the contrary, consisted but of 
1,198 killed; ! 8,3 17 wounded; and 3,170 taken prisoners; amount- 
ing altogether to 27,685 men; it lost also, 33 generals, 115 can- 
non, 30,000 horses, and 2138 empty ammunition waggons. We 
must recollect that Napoleon was gerit rally acknowledged to 
have entered Russia with 480.000 men; deducting the above- 
mentioned loss of 27,685, there remains 452,315: — by supposing 
that about 20,000 men had the good fortune to reach Berlin) 
Thorn, Damzic and other places, what has become of the re- 
maining 432,3 15 men? Thanks to the able dispositions of their 
Great Captain^ they are all starved to death, either by cold or 
lounger! 



NOTES. 419 

"Yet further: — Napoleon brought with him, at least 1200 
pieces of artillery; by adding to them the 1157 which he pro- 
fesses to ha e taken from the Russians, he must have had alto- 
gether 2357: he owns however, that he has lost 115; pray may 
we not ask what he has done with the other 2242? Very likely 
they are to be found in the grand depot of 67,269 Russian pri- 
soners; (not ten thousand of which have been seen to cross 
Germany j) that is to say— m the Russian army!" 



FINIS, 



EDWARD J. COALE, BALTIMORE, 

AND EASTBURN, KIRK, & Co. NEW-YORK, 

Will in a few days publish, an Historical, Political and Military- 
account of the life of Field Marshal Souvaroff, from a copy 
furnished by the Russian Minister, which has been read and 
approved, as the most correct work upon that subject, by the 
late General Moreau. — Price $2. 

A; so, a very interesting; Historical Novel, by Madame de 
G<'nlis, entitled " Mademoiseiie cle la Fayette," illustrating the 
n>anners and character of the Court of Louis XIII. First Ame- 
rican edition, revised with additional notes. — Price gl. 

Of this work, the most able of French Reviewers observes as 
follows: 

" Madame de Genlis particularly excels in pourtraying' characters, and 
■with wonderful art gives to every one its appropriate colours." 

After introducing a fevv extracts, the Reviewer proceeds: 

" These extracts, and several other parts of the work which I shall not 
here transcribe, such as those in which the author so profoundly analyzes 
and paints with such rapidity of pencil, the deep policy of Cardinal 
Richlieu, added to an infinue number of views, outlines and ideas elabo- 
borately explained, sparkle through the whole work, and exhibit a genius 
infinitel) above the species of writing, in which the fertile imagination and 
flowing pen of Madame de Genlis delight to sport." 

" The novel form is only a frame, in which Madame de Genlis sets the 
portraits of history, the treasures of an observing mind, and the riches of 
a style at once flexible and energetic. 

" I do not liesjiate to assert, that Madame de Genlis has no where ex- 
hibited such talents, as in this last work; because she has never before 
had such an opportunity of displaying such sagacity and skill, in making 
the circumstances vvhieh unfold her characters, flow naturally from the 
qualities with which she has represented them. 

The Review closes with the following words^ 

" I venture to affirm, tliat this Novel is one of those productions whick 
will be appreciated, in proportion to the degree of mind the reader pos- 
sesses, and in proportion as that mind has been cultivated." 

THEY HAVE IN PRESS, 
The Memoirs of the Cardinal De Retz. Containing the par- 
ticulars of his own life; with the most secret transactions of the 
French Court and the Civil Wars. And also the History of the 
Conspiracy of Count John Louis Fieque, against the republic of 
Genoa, likewise written by the Cardinal de Retz, Translated 
from the French. To which will be added, Notes by the Dutchess 
of Nemours, and Memoirs of Guy Joli, private secretary t» 
Cardinal cle Ketz. 



E 696 



i 



